Vitamin D deficiency in mothers of infants with rickets.

OBJECTIVE

To identify infants treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets, and to determine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in their mothers and their mothers' country of origin.

DESIGN

A retrospective audit of the medical records of children diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency rickets. Inpatients were identified by discharge diagnoses of vitamin D deficiency or hypocalcaemia and outpatients by pharmacy dispensing of cholecalciferol.

SETTING

The Women's and Children's Health Care Network and the Southern Health Care Network (Melbourne, VIC) from June 1994 to February 1999.

PATIENTS

55 children with vitamin D deficiency rickets.

RESULTS

Fifty-four of the 55 children were born to mothers with ethnocultural risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D status had been assessed in 31 of the 55 mothers (56%): 25 (81%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations < or = 25 nmol/L, consistent with osteomalacia.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency continues to occur in children of migrant families. When infants are diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D levels in their mothers and siblings should also be assessed.