ABSTRACT
Vitamin D and calcium play a key role not only in maintaining skeletal integrity, but are also important in the functioning of other systems of the human body. The aim of the study is to evaluate the dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D in the children with different somatic pathologies (gastroenterological and endocrine) and its impact on somatic health indicators. Material and methods. 114 children, aged 4-17 years old, were involved in the study. They underwent inpatient treatment for somatic pathology. The patients were divided into 4 groups: 36 children with chronic gastroduodenitis (the 1st group); 25 children with functional disorders of biliary tract (the 2nd group); 30 children with hypothalamic pubertal syndrome (the 3rd group); 23 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (the 4th group). Dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D was evaluated using a questionnaire. The sources of vitamin D and calcium intake were determined and the amount of these sources in the weekly diet of a child was evaluated. Then the total of vitamin D and calcium in the diet of each child and the average daily consumption of these nutrients with each food source were evaluated as well. All children underwent physical examination; a special attention was paid to the health of their teeth, nails, hair, skeletal system, as well as the presence of allergic reactions. Serum calcium concentration was determined by the colorimetric method with o-cresolphthalein in an alkaline medium and inorganic phosphorus by the phosphomolybdate method with aluminum molybdate in an acidic medium. Results and discussion. It was established that the diet of the most children comprised baked goods (94.7%), meat (92.9%), dairy products (up to 90.4%), and eggs (90.4%). The children received most of their dietary vitamin D with fish (335.63±472.82 IU), butter (124.64±114.31 IU) and eggs (101.15±96.77 IU) per week. The dairy products, i.e. milk, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese, were the largest source of calcium. Calcium intake varied in different patient groups due to their food preferences and dietary recommendations related to their health. It was also proved that the average daily diet vitamin D intake at 123.98±53.52 IU was insufficient. The average daily intake of calcium with food was 524.53±248.38 mg. The insufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium with food correlated with clinical manifestations. Posture disorders were evidenced in 48.2% of children, tooth decay - in 40.4%, and hair illnesses - in 32.4%. These disorders were more significant in the children of the 1st group, who were proved to have the lowest vitamin D intake. The serum calcium level was lower than the reference values in 79.8% of children, the phosphorus level was lower than the reference values in 41.2% children. Conclusion. The dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D in the children with different somatic pathologies (gastroenterological and endocrine) was insufficient, despite differences in children's diets under various pathologies, which led to the appearance of clinical signs of mineral metabolism disorders, among which posture disorders and tooth decay were most often observed.
