{"id":26885,"date":"2022-07-27T11:17:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T15:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26885"},"modified":"2022-07-27T11:17:17","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T15:17:17","slug":"quarter-of-children-in-dublin-are-deficient-in-vitamin-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26885","title":{"rendered":"Quarter Of Children In Dublin Are Deficient In Vitamin D"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, is the largest of its kind in Ireland to date (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One in four children in Dublin is deficient in vitamin D, a new Trinity College study has found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research also showed the proportion of children with vitamin D deficiency increased to one in three children in disadvantaged areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher levels of deficiency were found in girls over the age of 12 and during winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study, published on Wednesday in the Journal of Nutritional Science, is the largest of its kind in Ireland to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the only study to explore vitamin D deficiency by an accurate measure of socio-economic status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers said the findings highlight the need to promote awareness of deficiency and to create strategies to improve vitamin D intake in Irish children, especially in those found to be most at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They suggest targeted and tailored guidelines on vitamin D intake may be required for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lead researcher Helena Scully said the findings indicate that low vitamin D levels are common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is concerning as it may have long term implications for bone health. In particular girls, teens (over 12 years) and those living in low socio-economic areas were most vulnerable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChoosing foods such as milk and cereal products with added vitamin D, and taking a supplement (10 micrograms or 400 units per day), particularly in the winter can help prevent low vitamin D levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St James\u2019s Hospital consultant physician Dr Kevin McCarroll said: \u201cThe study shows that vitamin D deficiency is just as prevalent in children as in adults, particularly during the teenage years when new bone mass is acquired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReduced sun exposure such as\u00a0more sedentary behavior or screen time and lower dietary vitamin D intakes are likely to be important factors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamin D is vital for the rapid bone growth which occurs in childhood and adolescence, when about 90% of our peak bone mass is attained \u2013 yet studies on the vitamin D status in children in Ireland are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin, outdoors. From October to March, we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, food sources of naturally occurring vitamin D are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamin D is also important for the adequate absorption of dietary calcium which is equally important for bone health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failure to maintain adequate vitamin D and calcium intake in childhood puts children at risk of brittle bones (osteoporosis) in later life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severe deficiency of vitamin D can also cause softening of the bones (osteomalacia) and lead to rickets in young children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The children in this study had been referred to their GP for vitamin D tests in the Dublin area, and variation was identified by sex, season and socio-economic status in a sample size of 1,226 children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research team believe the recommended daily allowance may need to include specific targets for children of between 10-15micrograms (400-600iu).<\/p>\n

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