Vitamin D level in children with rickets and protein-energy malnutrition

ABSTRACT

This study was performed on three groups of infants and children aged between 7-36 months including 35 rachitic cases, 35 cases with protein energy malnutrition [PEM] and 12 healthy controls. Rachitic process was assessed by X-ray wrist. The biochemical estimation included serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25 [OH]2 vitamin D as well as serum total protein and albumin. From rachitic children, 16 cases were re- examined at 3 weeks after administration with 6000,000 IU vitamin D. The mean levels of [OH]-vitamin D3, 1,25, [OH]2 vitamin D calcium, phosphorous were significantly in a low concentration with a high activity of alkaline phosphatase activity in children with rickets as compared with the controls. Whereas, after vitamin D administration, there was an amelioration in all biochemical parameters indicating that these subjects were suffering from vitamin D deficiency. In addition, it seemed that PEM per se plays an important role in the etiology of vitamin D deficiency