A cross-sectional assessment of prevalence and risk factors-mediating hypovitaminosis D in 6-12-year-old school-going children in Highlands of Southern-Western Ghats, India

Introduction: Several global epidemiological and public health interventions demonstrated that deficiency of vitamin D in children has negative associations with health. However, limited data are available on vitamin D status among children living in high-altitude regions.

Objectives: To assess the vitamin D status and risk factors among 6-12 year old children residing in the selective high-altitude regions in Southern India.

Method: A regional-based cross-sectional survey was performed on 102 participants with a validated questionnaire. The survey collected the details of physical health, anthropometry, dietary habits, socioeconomic status (SES), skin colour, and sunlight exposure. In addition, a blood sample was collected from each participant and analysed to assess the serum vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels.

Results: More than 80% of the sampled 102 participants of 6-12 year  aged children living in the highlands (1800 metres above mean sea level) of Southern-Western Ghats, India, had insufficient levels of vitamin D; 42% of children had vitamin D insufficiency and 40% had vitamin D deficiency. Variables such as joint pain [x(1)= 36.573, p=0.001], weakness and tiredness [(x(1)=65.713, p=0.001], growth [x(1)=5.474, p=0.02], cough and cold [x (1)=34.563, p=0.039], leg and back pain [x(1)=65.707, p=0.001], showed significant association with the vitamin D levels. A weak positive correlation between phosphorus, calcium  and vitamin D levels and a weak negative correlation between weight and vitamin D were also observed. 

Conclusions: Majority of children of the 6-12 year age group living in the highlands of Southern-Western Ghats, India had vitamin D deficiency. Our findings indicated that lower socioeconomic status  and inadequate consumption of vitamin D rich foods were the potential risk factors mediating vitamin D deficiency in children in the high altitude regions. 

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2022; 51(2): 261-269