Investigation on the nutritional status of Vitamin D among preschool children in Lanzhou, Gansu

Objective To investigate vitamin D(VitD) nutritional status among urban preschool children in Lanzhou, Gansu, so as to provide scientific evidence for guiding VitD supplementation.

Methods Convenient sampling was used to recruit all children in 10 kindergartens as study subjects at Chengguan District, Lanzhou. The level of serum 25-hydroxyl VitD was tested by immuno-chromatography. Those who were diagnosed with diseases that might affect bone metabolism by pediatricians were excluded during data analysis. The children's nutritional status of VitD was evaluated based on the 'Children's Nutritional Criteria of VitD' recommended by the Branch of Child Health Care of The Chinese Preventive Medical Association.

Results A total of 1 381 preschool children were included in the analysis, 714 (51.7%) were boys while 667 (48.3%) were girls at an average age of (4.67 ± 0.89) years. The average level of VitD was (22.20 ± 3.45)ng/mL and there was no VitD deficiency (< 12.0 ng/mL). The prevalence of VitD insufficiency(12.0 - 20.0 ng/mL) was 26.1%, while the level of VitD for 73.9% children was normal (> 20.0 ng/mL).

Conclusion Our study suggests that the nutritional status of VitD for most children in Lanzhou is sufficient while about a quarter were insufficient. Parents should be instructed to provide their children with VitD supplements scientifically and increase calcium-rich food intake.