Analysis of vitamin D levels in 8 695 children aged 0-3 years

Zhang Sujie

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-7151.2025.04.017

Abstract：Objective To investigate the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D]in healthy children aged 0-3 years in Changsha area of Hunan Province and analyze their vitamin D(VD)nutritional status according to different genders,ages and testing seasons.Methods A total of 8 695 healthy children aged 0-3 years who underwent routine physical examinations at Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected as research objects,including 5 100 males and 3 595 females.According to age,they were divided into 0-<1 year old group(1 922 cases),1-<2 years old group(3 028 cases),and 2-3 years old group(3 745 cases).According to testing seasons,they were divided into spring group(2 345 cases;March,April and May),summer group(3 057 cases;June,July and August),autumn group(1 878 cases;September,October and November)and winter group(1 415 cases;December,January and February).Serum 25(OH)D was measured using chemiluminescence,and the levels of 25(OH)D and prevalence of insufficiency and deficiency of VD were compared across groups.Results The overall serum 25(OH)D level was 130.22(105.42,156.69)nmol/L.The prevalence of VD deficiency,insufficiency and sufficiency was 0.44%,3.98%and 95.58%,respectively.The serum 25(OH)D level in girls was higher than that in boys[nmol/L:131.99(105.89,158.63)vs.129.00(105.14,155.50),P<0.05].There was statistically significant difference in serum 25(OH)D levels among different age groups,with the 25(OH)D level in 1-<2 years old group significantly higher than those in 0-<1 year old group and 2-3 years old group[nmol/L:145.68(123.40,171.08)vs.128.27(106.10,152.07),117.40(94.77,143.30),both P<0.05].The serum 25(OH)D level in children was higher in autumn than that in spring,and the difference was statistically significant[nmol/L:139.20(115.65,164.33)vs.125.96(99.33,152.84),P<0.05].The proportion of VD insufficiency and deficiency in children was higher in spring than that in autumn,and the difference was statistically significant[6.18%(145/2 345)vs.1.86%(35/1 878),P<0.05].Conclusions VD status is generally adequate among healthy children aged 0-3 years in Changsha area.Girls have higher 25(OH)D levels than boys.Children aged 1-<2 years have the highest 25(OH)D levels,while those aged 2-3 years are at increased risk of VD insufficiency and deficiency.The level of 25(OH)D in children is the highest in autumn and the lowest in spring.