Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in International Adoptees Within the First 6 Months After Adoption

Abstract

Background. Vitamin D deficiency impairs bone health and development. Objective. To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in pediatric international adoptees. Methods. A prospective cohort (N = 189) study from a single international adoption clinic was conducted. Total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] level was measured at the initial clinical assessment (within 6 months of adoption). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL (<8 nmol/L) and insufficiency as 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL (<12 nmol/L). Results. Vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in 8% and insufficiency in 27% of the cohort. Lower body mass index and longer time in an institution were associated with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency independent of age. Conclusions. Vitamin D insufficiency was common in our cohort of international adoptees. The significance of vitamin D insufficiency on bone development during the typical “catch-up” growth following international adoption needs to be determined.