Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels in preschool children who admitted to the department of pediatrics, Duzce University Medical School Hospital

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, especially affecting infants, children and adolescents, to be a significant public health problem. Vitamin D deficiency affects bone health and in addition many other systems of the human body are affected by vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Oral vitamin D supplementation programs are being carried out up to 1 year old babies and pregnant women in our country. In recent years because of family and children's social activities variation, they spend more time at shopping centers, indoor play grounds and homes. So children do not benefit enough from the consequences of sun rays. In our study, 100 children who were between 12–83 months old from June to August 2014 serum vitamin D, Ca, P, ALP levels were analyzed. Some features such as sunlight exposure, socio-demographic situations and receiving oral vitamin D supplementation in this age group, were questioned and parameters affecting the serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were studied. The study group's vitamin D levels an average of 27 ng/ml. Severe vitamin D deficiency 6%, serum 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency 17% and vitamin D insufficiency 6% of cases were detected. Exclusive breastfeeding, day care in kindergarten, body mass index below the fifth percentile were found to have a reducing effect on serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels. Children who were between 12–36 months compared to 37–83 months were found to be less benefit from the sunlight. Despite Turkey is being a rich country in terms of sunlight 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency is still a major health problem. This suggests that there is sufficient public awareness on this issue. In order to obtain and contribute the development of healthier generations, parents must be informed about the benefits and harms of the sun. Key words: 25 (OH) vitamin D, sun, children, Vitamin D deficiency, Vitamin D insufficiency.