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. 2024 Mar 9;13(1):86693.
doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i1.86693.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital

Supawut Suksantilerd  1 , Rotchanart Thawatchai  2 , Nattapol Rungrojjananon  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital

Supawut Suksantilerd et al. World J Clin Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in exclusively breastfed infants, with supplementation recommended by various international medical organizations. However, in Thailand, no advice for routine vitamin D supplementation is available. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors in exclusively breastfed infants in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aim: To investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors in exclusively breastfed infants in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: This descriptive observational cross-sectional study assessed 109 4-month-old infants at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital from May 2020 to April 2021. The 25-OH vitamin D level of the infants was measured using an electrochemiluminescence binding assay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25-OH level < 20 ng/mL, with vitamin D insufficiency 20-30 ng/mL. The sun index and maternal vitamin D supplementation data were collected and analyzed using the independent t-test, univariate logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression to identify the associated factors.

Results: The prevalences of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency were 35.78% and 33.03%, respectively with mean serum 25-OH vitamin D levels in these two groups 14.37 ± 3.36 and 24.44 ± 3.29 ng/mL. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the main factors associated with vitamin D status were maternal vitamin D supplementation and birth weight, with crude odds ratios 0.26 (0.08-0.82) and 0.08 (0.01-0.45), respectively. The sun index showed no correlation with the 25-OH vitamin D level in exclusively breastfed infants (r = -0.002, P = 0.984).

Conclusion: Two-thirds of healthy exclusively breastfed infants had hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D supplementation prevented this condition and was recommended for both lactating women and their babies.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Sunlight; Thailand; Vitamin D deficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr. Supawut Suksantilerd has received research funding from Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital that could have influenced the outcome of this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of the sun index and 25-OH vitamin D level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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