VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY: A GLOBAL PEDIATRIC HEALTH CONCERN

*Dr. Bhagyashri Shamsundar Bhosale, Dr. Sunil Babasaheb Rathod, Dr. Jyotsna Ahir

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency is a major global public health concern affecting millions of children across both developed and developing countries. Despite the availability of abundant sunlight in many regions, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency remains high due to inadequate sun exposure, poor dietary intake, increased indoor lifestyles, skin pigmentation, obesity, and limited access to fortified foods. Vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, bone mineralization, immune function, and normal growth and development. Deficiency during childhood is associated with nutritional rickets, delayed skeletal growth, impaired bone health, muscle weakness, and an increased susceptibility to infections and other chronic diseases. Emerging evidence also suggests a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and various non-skeletal disorders, including autoimmune diseases, metabolic abnormalities, and respiratory illnesses. This review highlights the global epidemiology, major risk factors, health consequences, prevention strategies, and public health implications of vitamin D deficiency in children. Effective preventive measures, including adequate sunlight exposure, dietary modification, food fortification, routine supplementation for high-risk groups, and parental education, are essential to reduce the burden of this preventable nutritional disorder. Early identification and implementation of evidence-based public health interventions can significantly improve child health outcomes and contribute to healthier future generations.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, children, pediatrics, public health, nutritional deficiency, rickets, vitamin D supplementation, child health.