Abstract

PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY- A REVIEW

Dr. Joel Yohannan*, Sruthi Jose, Chandana Mohandas and Hazeeb S. Mohammed

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is synthesized in the body. It plays a major role in calcium metabolism and its homeostasis. It is a secosteroid which is converted into its active form via 1 a-hydroxylase enzyme. It plays a role in a wide range of ailments such as CVD, DM, osteoporosis, cancer. Recently a study reported a role for vitamin D in cognition and mental health. Serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D is the most reliable indicator of vitamin D. It has been estimated that 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Even though the population in India receives ample sunlight throughout the year, datas from published literature reports that vitamin D deficiency is very common in India in all age groups and both sexes across the country. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in countries like Pakistan, China, Middle East, Africa etc. It is relatively less common in countries like Japan, USA, Canada, South East Asia. Direct sunlight, fatty fish, vitamin D fortified foods etc are various sources of vitamin D. various studies have reported that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women, new born, school children, healthy children, male and females in rural and urban India. Vitamin D deficiency has also been assessed in various lifestyle diseases such as DM, HTN etc. Implementing aggressive nationwide vitamin D supplementation and food fortification programmes for the benefit of all healthy individuals is the most cost-effective method.

Keywords: Vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, prevalence.