Alhamed Meath S, Alharbi Fahad, Al Joher Abdullatif, Dhahry Sara, Fallatah Albandari A, Alanazi Omar H, Almutiri Jawaher M, Albaradie Saida S, Al Enezi Budoor Aziz A, Albishi Mashail S
Family Medicine, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Al-Mubarraz, SAU.
General Practice, Al Yamamah Hospital, Riyadh, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Jan 10;16(1):e52040. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52040. eCollection 2024 Jan.
Vitamin D deficiency is a globally recognized health concern, with particular prominence in specific geographies and demographics. Saudi Arabia, with its unique climatic conditions and cultural practices, has been under scrutiny regarding the prevalence of this deficiency, especially among children and adolescents. This systematic review aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia by compiling and analyzing various studies to offer a comprehensive view of the situation. The comprehensive web search encompassed a range of databases, including Google Scholar and PubMed, to gather studies published between 2012 and 2023. An analysis was conducted on seven studies, totaling 2,429 participants, with each study focusing on various aspects, regions, and cohorts within Saudi Arabia. These studies employed different methodologies, ranging from cross-sectional surveys to randomized clinical trials. The review unveiled an alarming prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the studied population. On average, around 81.1% of children and adolescents showcased inadequate vitamin D levels. Specific vulnerable groups, such as those with Type 1 diabetes mellitus or asthma, had pronounced deficiencies. Factors influencing these levels ranged from dietary habits, sun exposure, physical activity, and socioeconomic parameters. The compelling evidence from the studies underscores a consistent health issue among the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia that the overwhelming majority of Saudi children and adolescents lack adequate vitamin D. Addressing this widespread deficiency needs a multifaceted approach. Implementing policies that support vitamin D food fortification, encouraging routine screenings, and launching public awareness campaigns about safe sun exposure and diet can play a transformative role in this health crisis.
维生素D缺乏是一个全球公认的健康问题，在特定地区和人群中尤为突出。沙特阿拉伯因其独特的气候条件和文化习俗，一直受到对这种缺乏症患病率的审视，尤其是在儿童和青少年中。本系统综述旨在通过汇编和分析各项研究，评估沙特阿拉伯儿童和青少年中维生素D缺乏的患病率，以全面了解这一情况。全面的网络搜索涵盖了一系列数据库，包括谷歌学术和PubMed，以收集2012年至2023年间发表的研究。对七项研究进行了分析，共有2429名参与者，每项研究聚焦于沙特阿拉伯境内的不同方面、地区和队列。这些研究采用了不同的方法，从横断面调查到随机临床试验。该综述揭示了所研究人群中维生素D缺乏的惊人患病率。平均而言，约81.1%的儿童和青少年维生素D水平不足。特定的弱势群体，如1型糖尿病或哮喘患者，存在明显的缺乏。影响这些水平的因素包括饮食习惯、阳光照射、体育活动和社会经济参数。这些研究的有力证据强调了沙特阿拉伯儿童群体中一个持续存在的健康问题，即绝大多数沙特儿童和青少年缺乏足够的维生素D。解决这种广泛存在的缺乏需要采取多方面的方法。实施支持维生素D食品强化的政策、鼓励定期筛查以及开展关于安全阳光照射和饮食的公众意识运动，可在这场健康危机中发挥变革性作用。
