STUDY OF SERUM VITAMIN D LEVELS IN SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION AND MODERATE ACUTE MALNUTRITION CHILDREN FROM 6 MONTHS TO 59 MONTHS OF AGE: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D plays several important roles in the metabolism and absorption of other minerals in the body. Vitamin D deciency is a world-wide epidemic with recent estimates indicating that greater than 50 % of the global population is at risk. Protein-energy malnutrition is likely to be associated with vitamin D intake deciency. The main objective of study was to evaluate vitamin D levels among children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) children from 6 months to 59 months of age. The present study was undertaken in 60 children diagnosed as Material and Methods: SAM, MAM with complications and admitted to NRC (Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre). SAM and MAM were classied according to the WHO classication. Vitamin D levels was done among the admitted children and classied according to the classication as decient (Vitamin D level <20ng/ml), insufcient (Vitamin D level between 21-29ng/ml) and sufcient (Vitamin D level >30ng/ml). Out of 60 children included in the study Results: 50 (83%) were classied as SAM and 10 (17%) were classied as MAM. Out of 60 children 16 (32%) SAM and 3 (30%) MAM children were found to have decient Vitamin D levels (<20ng/ml), 17 (34%) SAM and 4(40%) MAM children found to have insufcient Vitamin D levels (between 21-29 ng/ml), and 17(34%) SAM and 3(30%) MAM children found to have sufcient Vitamin D levels (>30 ng/ml). All children were given Vitamin D supplementation according to guidelines. The mean vitamin D level was 25.4 ng/ml. The high prevalence of Conclusion: Vitamin D deciency in malnourished children underlines the need for active surveillance and aggressive management.