Preliminary Prevalence of Vitamin D and Iron Deficiency in Healthy Primary School Children

Nutritional deficiencies in iron and vitamin D are common in children at a global level, albeit they can be overlooked in apparently healthy children. Iron deficiency in children has been associated with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, although it is unclear which deficiency has the greater effect on the other, owing to the different metabolic fates of each nutrient. Iron is required in the second hydroxylation step in conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) to the active form, 1,25(OH)2D, whereas sufficient vitamin D status may lower the risk of anaemia through a reduction of inflammation. This study examined the differences between sufficient and insufficient/deficient 25[OH]D concentrations and haemoglobin concentrations in a child cohort. Vitamin D status [plasma 25(OH)D] was determined using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry from samples collected between November 2019–February 2023. Complete blood counts were conducted using a Sysmex automated analyser to determine the haemoglobin status. Non-anaemia was defined as haemoglobin concentrations ≥115 g/L (4). Anthropometric measurements were also recorded, including height (cm) and weight (kg). A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to assess the differences in haemoglobin concentrations between vitamin D sufficient (&gt;50 nmol/L), insufficient (25–50 nmol/L), and deficient (≤25 nmol/L) participants. Due to numerical constraints, deficient and insufficient children were grouped together as non-sufficient. A total of 159 children aged 4–11 years were enrolled on the study. The median (IQR) age was 8 (7) years, and 52% were female. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations ranged between 21.31 and 141.11 nmol/L. Whole blood haemoglobin concentrations ranged between 101.0 and 158.0 g/L. Overall, 3% (n = 5) of children were classed as iron-deficient anaemic, 1.9% (n = 3) and 28.9% (n = 46) were vitamin D deficient and insufficient, respectively. Haemoglobin concentrations in vitamin D sufficient (median 130.0 g/L) and non-sufficient children (median = 128.5 g/L) were not statistically different (U = 2685, z = 2685, p = 0.970). These preliminary results suggest that vitamin D and haemoglobin concentrations were predominantly sufficient in this cohort of children. Close to one third of participants had an inadequate vitamin D status, and thus this may explain why no differences in haemoglobin concentrations were observed according to vitamin D status.<br/

Vitamin D Status and Supplementation Practices in Elite Irish Athletes: An Update from 2010/11.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern that is prevalent in Ireland. The vitamin D status of elite Irish athletes following implementation of a revised supplementation policy in 2010/2011 has not been explored to date. This study aimed to assess the vitamin D status of elite Irish athletes participating in high-profile sports and establish if equatorial travel, supplementation and/or sunbed use predict vitamin D status. Across Ireland, blood samples (n = 92) were obtained from cricketers (n = 28), boxers (n = 21) and women’s rugby sevens players (n = 43) between November 2013 and April 2015. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Parathyroid hormone and adjusted calcium concentrations were measured by clinical biochemistry. Athletes completed a questionnaire that queried equatorial travel, supplementation and sunbed use. Vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L) was evident in 86% of athletes. Insufficiency (31–49 nmol/L) and deficiency (<30 nmol/L) was present in only 12% and 2% of athletes respectively. On average, athletes from all sport disciplines were vitamin D sufficient and 25% reported vitamin D supplementation which was a significant positive predictor of vitamin D status, (OR 4.31; 95% CI 1.18–15.75; p = 0.027). Equatorial travel and sun bed use were reported in 47% and 16% of athletes respectively however these factors did not predict vitamin D status (both p > 0.05). Although different cohorts were assessed, the overall prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was 55% in 2010/2011 compared with only 14% in 2013/2015. Targeted supplementation is highly effective in optimising vitamin D status, negating the need for blanket-supplementation in elite cohorts

Vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy adults: a comparison between capsule and oral spray solution as a method of delivery in a wintertime, randomised, open-label, cross-over study

AbstractVitamin D is typically supplied in capsule form, both in trials and in clinical practice. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of vitamin D administered via oral sprays – a method that primarily bypasses the gastrointestinal absorption route. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D3liquid capsules and oral spray solution in increasing wintertime total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. In this randomised, open-label, cross-over trial, healthy adults (n22) received 3000 IU (75 µg) vitamin D3daily for 4 weeks in either capsule or oral spray form. Following a 10-week washout phase, participants received the opposite treatment for a final 4 weeks. Anthropometrics and fasted blood samples were obtained before and after supplementation, with samples analysed for total 25(OH)D, creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone and adjusted Ca concentrations. At baseline, vitamin D sufficiency (total 25(OH)D&gt;50 nmol/l), insufficiency (31–49 nmol/l) and clinical deficiency (&lt;30 nmol/l) were evident in 59, 23 and 18 % of the participants, respectively. Overall, baseline total mean 25(OH)D concentration averaged 59·76 (sd29·88) nmol/l, representing clinical sufficiency. ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation change from baseline in total 25(OH)D concentrations between oral spray and capsule supplementation methods (26·15 (sd17·85)v. 30·38 (sd17·91) nmol/l, respectively;F=1·044, adjustedr20·493,P=0·313). Oral spray vitamin D3is an equally effective alternative to capsule supplementation in healthy adults.</jats:p

The Ursinus Weekly, November 14, 1974

15 U.C. seniors named to Who\u27s who • Puzzle solved • Letter to the Editor • Part two: The Legend of the three doors • Growth of the Greeks: Green and gold - KDK • Library metamorphosis • Rebuilding Bears lose to Dickinson • Only one game lost • Alumna corner: First foreign student • Pages from Ursinus past: Freshmen regulations • Photo reviewhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1025/thumbnail.jp