[Recommendations of vitamin D supplements for toddlers frequently disregarded].

OBJECTIVE

To inventory the use of colecalciferol in children aged 1-4 years.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHOD

Fifteen health centre physicians throughout the Netherlands in April 1998 collected data on the use of colecalciferol among children aged 1 to 4 years. At the periodical medical examination, parents were asked if their child was given colecalciferol and if so, the name of the preparation and the dosage. The child's age and the mother's country of origin were also recorded.

RESULTS

660 Children were evaluated: 190 aged 1 year, 200 aged 2 years, 220 aged 3 years and 50 aged 4 years. There existed a 'top five' of preparations used by 72% of the parents. Fifty-seven per cent of the children (almost) daily received the dose of colecalciferol recommended by the Dutch Health Council (10-15 micrograms). Fifteen per cent received no suppletion at all. The percentage of nonusers increased with age from 9% of those aged 1 year to 26% of those aged 4 years. Of the children given some form of suppletion (almost) every day, 81% received the recommended dose, 16% too little and 3% too much. Suppletion according to the recommendations was found more often for children of European mothers than for children of non-European mothers. Enquiries among all university hospitals left the impression that rickets is infrequent among otherwise healthy children.