Introduction:
Vitamin D Deficiency (VDD) is a worldwide problem among children with
prevalence rate ranging between 12-24% in developed countries among
infants, toddlers and older children. 1 In Jordan,
studies reported various rates of VDD among different age groups. A
cross sectional study reported high prevalence rate of 77% among
infants. 2 Higher prevalence rate (94.1%) among
newborns was documented in another study 3 and 19.8%
was the prevalence rate in a national survey of preschool children.4
Vitamin D is one of the vitamins which is soluble in fat, it presents in
two forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is present
in some plants and fungi, and vitamin D3 which is
synthesized in skin upon exposure to sunlight. 5 The
most common dietary sources of vitamin D are fatty fish, cod liver oil,
and vitamin D fortified foods, it is present in lower amount in
vegetables and fruits. In human breast milk it is found in low amount.6 Vitamin D is essential for calcium phosphorus
balance, and bone development, it is important in immunity.7 VDD may lead to rickets in infants and children. The
most common risk factors for VDD include age groups (infants,
adolescents, elderly), imbalance of diet, exclusive breast feeding,
inadequate maternal vitamin D in pregnancy, inadequate sun exposure, fat
malabsorption, medications such as anticonvulsants, use of sunscreen,
dark skin color and others. 8
Vitamin D is recommended by AAP in 2003 for all children in the first
two months of life in a dose of 200 IU/day, which is modified in 2008
into 400 IU/day starting from the first few days through adolescence.9
To our knowledge, no descriptive studies have been conducted in Jordan
to assess the level of knowledge and awareness about vitamin D regarding
its importance, sources, complications and risk factors of its
deficiency among the parents. So, we aimed in this study to assess the
mother’s knowledge and practices toward vitamin D deficiency in infants
and up to age of 6 years in order to facilitate decision makers in
designing interventions appropriate for the context of Jordan. A
secondary aim is to identify the factors that have impact on mother’s
knowledge level.