Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Nutrients. 2024 Jan 27;16(3):379. doi: 10.3390/nu16030379.
Vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining bone density, building the immune system, and regulating cell growth alongside other key biological functions. Limited data are available about the seasonal variation in vitamin D levels in the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal influence on the pediatric circulating levels of 25(OH)D. A total of 1790 pediatric outpatients who visited the University healthcare centre were included in this study. Overall, there was a noticeably high prevalence (69%) of both combined 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency. The highest mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D was recorded in summer (29 ng/mL) and autumn (27 ng/mL). The deficient and insufficient categories were predominant, accounting for 33% and 36%, respectively. Comparable patterns were recorded during autumn, winter, and spring. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D level was significantly associated with the four seasons ( = 0.001), with females having a higher prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in the spring and summer than males. Furthermore, only in autumn and winter, we found a significant association between gender and 25(OH)D status ( < 0.001 for both). Another association between nationality and the circulating levels 25(OH)D was found during autumn and winter ( < 0.001 and = 0.01), respectively. In all seasons, age had a negative impact on serum (OH)D levels. However, this relationship was statistically significant ( < 0.05) only in summer, autumn, and winter. Gender was a significant predictor, with 25(OH)D levels in autumn and winter and an odds ratio of 1.67 in autumn and 2 in winter, indicating that being men had a positive influence on circulating 25(OH)D levels. There were highly significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations among different age categories. The Saudi population experiences low levels of vitamin D, particularly in autumn and winter periods. This study showed that seasonality, age category, nationality, and gender influence vitamin D status, suggesting the need for tailored intervention and monitoring of 25(OH)D status to reach adequate levels of vitamin D. Healthcare practitioners and policymakers may consider the interplay between age, nationality, gender, and seasonal variations when addressing vitamin D status and a targeted supplementation approach for high-risk groups that may develop health issues.
维生素 D 在维持骨密度、构建免疫系统和调节细胞生长等关键生物学功能方面发挥着重要作用。有关沙特阿拉伯儿科人群维生素 D 水平的季节性变化，目前仅有有限的数据。本研究旨在调查季节对儿科人群循环 25(OH)D 水平的影响。本研究共纳入了 1790 名就诊于大学保健中心的儿科门诊患者。总体而言，维生素 D 缺乏和不足的合并患病率（69%）非常高。血清 25(OH)D 浓度最高的季节为夏季（29ng/mL）和秋季（27ng/mL）。缺乏和不足的比例分别为 33%和 36%。秋季、冬季和春季也记录到了类似的模式。有趣的是，25(OH)D 水平与四季均显著相关（ = 0.001），与男性相比，女性在春季和夏季的维生素 D 缺乏症患病率更高。此外，仅在秋季和冬季，我们发现性别与 25(OH)D 状态之间存在显著关联（两者均<0.001）。在秋季和冬季，我们还发现了国籍与循环 25(OH)D 水平之间的另一个关联（分别为<0.001 和 = 0.01）。在所有季节中，年龄对血清（OH）D 水平均有负面影响。然而，这种关系在夏季、秋季和冬季具有统计学意义（<0.05）。性别是一个重要的预测因素，在秋季和冬季，25(OH)D 水平与 25(OH)D 水平的比值为 1.67 和 2，这表明男性对循环 25(OH)D 水平有积极影响。不同年龄组之间 25(OH)D 浓度存在显著差异。沙特人群维生素 D 水平较低，尤其是在秋季和冬季。本研究表明，季节性、年龄、国籍和性别影响维生素 D 状态，提示需要针对维生素 D 状态进行个体化干预和监测，以达到足够的维生素 D 水平。医疗保健从业者和政策制定者在处理维生素 D 状态时，可能会考虑年龄、国籍、性别和季节性变化之间的相互作用，并为可能出现健康问题的高危人群制定针对性的补充方法。
