Vitamin D deficiency in healthy female medical students of a public sector hospital

ABSTRACT

To determine Vitamin D levels in healthy female medical students. Public sector university in Karachi during the month of November 2010. A total of 84 healthy, female medical students were included in the study. 25 [OH] Vitamin D, serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase levels were determined in their blood samples. Vitamin D was analyzed by chemiluminesence technique, while serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase were determined photometrically. A comprehensive questionnaire was also filled out by 57 students which included biometrics, dietary habits, sun exposure and physical activity details. Almost all [98.8%] subjects had low levels of vitamin D, with 96.4% having values less than 10 ng/ml. There was no correlation of low Vitamin D levels with calcium, phosphorous or alkaline phosphatase levels or with biometric measurements. Vitamin D deficiency was very common even in apparently healthy young females with no correlation to calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase levels. Nationwide studies are needed to see the cases for low levels of vitamins D