Frequency of Vitamin D3 Deficiency in Children Presenting With Frequent Sino-Pulmonary Infections

Aims: to determine the prevalence of vitamin d deficiency in children (age 6 month - 5 years),presenting with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections,in an out-patient department setting. methods: it was a descriptive study conducted in children age 6 month to 5 years,from november 2010 to december 2011. 1000 children were enrolled and their data recorded on a predesigned proforma. results:of 1000 cases,830(83.0%) children had vitamin d3 deficient levels (group i),112(11.2%) had insufficient levels (group ii),which constitutes 94.2%,57(5.7%) had desirable levels (group iii) and 1(0.1%) had vitamin d intoxication (group iv). among the age group more number of children were seen between 1-3 year. 236(23.6%) were between 1 to 2 years,256(25.6%) were between 2 to 3 years. males constituted 602(60.2%) and females were 398(39.8%). majority had bronchiolitis 356(35.6%) followed by pneumonia 320(32.0%),otitis media 194(19.4%) and acute tonsillitis 134(13.4%). in group i (n=830) more common diseases were bronchiolitis 352(42.4%) and pneumonia 296(35.6%) and less common was acute tonsillitis 72(8.6%). in group ii (n=112),52(46.42%) had bronchiolitis and 32(28.5%) had pneumonia and less common was acute tonsillitis 10(8.9%). in group iii (n=57) predominant diagnosis was tonsillitis [23(40.35%)] followed by bronchiolitis [9(15.7%)]. conclusions: children (6 month - 5 years) with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections i.e. (bronchiolitis,pneumonias,otitis media and acute tonsillitis) had a tendency to have deficient serum vitamin d3 level. it is recommended that vitamin d3 level should be assessed in all those children suffering from recurrent respiratory infections.