status of vitamin d3 deficiency/insufficiency in the children of southern

Background: vitamins, particularly vitamin d, are crucial for normal metabolism. nutritional sources of vitamin d are limited, making sunlight the most significant source. from birth, children have an increased need for vitamin d and require supplementation. methods: this study aimed to assess the status of vitamin d deficiency and insufficiency in otherwise healthy children in this region and to emphasize the importance of screening, treatment, and prevention of vitamin d deficiency. ethical approval for this study was obtained from the ethics committee of shiraz university of medical sciences. results: among the 500 children studied, 256 (51.2%) had vitamin d deficiency, 156 (31.2%) had insufficiency, and only 88 (17.6%) had sufficient levels of vitamin d. school-aged children were more likely to be deficient compared to preschool and infant groups. a higher percentage of insufficiency was observed in infants compared to preschool and school-age groups. conclusions: vitamin d screening should be mandatory for all children referred to a pediatrician, and appropriate treatment modalities should be implemented for these children.