Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Adolescents with recent onset poor Scholastic Performance

Abstract

Background: Although vitamin D deficiency has been documented as a frequent problem of young adults, elderly persons, and children in other countries, there are limited data on the prevalence of this nutritional deficiency as a probable cause of recent onset poor scholastic performance among adolescents and young adults.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy adolescents presenting with school reports of recent onset poor scholastic performance.

Design: A cross-sectional clinic- based sample.

Setting: An urban hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Main Outcome Measures: Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), weekly physical activity and lifestyle variables that were potential risk factors for hypovitaminosis D.

Results: 41 patients (66.13%) were vitamin D deficient (serum 25OHD level, ≤15 ng/mL [≤37.5 nmol/L]), of whom 16 (25.8%) were severely vitamin D deficient (25OHD level, ≤8 ng/mL [≤20 nmol/L]). By using a broader definition (25OHD level, ≤20 ng/mL. [≤50 nmol/L]), 50 patients (80.64%) were vitamin D insufficient.

Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was present in adolescents in this urban clinic-based sample. The prevalence was highest in adolescents with scholastic backwardness, and interventions targeting this also need to be considered in the holistic management of scholastic backwardness.