Background. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric population is high around the world. However, there are no official data about vitamin D levels among the children in Lithuania.
Material and methods. Retrospective analysis of vitamin D (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) levels in the blood serum of 1354 children, hospitalized in Children’s Hospital, Affiliate of VULSK between the year 2011 and 2015. Children were classified into two groups: group I - children under 2 years, group II - over 2 years.
Results. Of 1354 patients, 47.5% (643) of tests were performed in group I and 52.5% (711) - in group II. Only 29.5% of children under 2 years and 17.3% of children over 2 years had optimal level of vitamin D. The vitamin D concentrations significantly differ between the groups: 55.1% of children in group I had an increased concentration of vitamin D and 15.4% had vitamin D deficiency while majority (80.1%) of children in group II had the vitamin D deficiency. There was not significant difference in vitamin D concentrations between seasons in group I, while group II showed significantly lower vitamin D concentration in spring.
Conclusions. The intake of vitamin D is not optimal among the children in Lithuania. More than a half (55%) of children under 2 years receive too high doses of vitamin D whereas 80% of older children suffer from constant vitamin D deficiency. In order to ensure optimal vitamin D concentration, it is necessary to follow the guidelines of vitamin D supplements usage.
