2024-08

The college of medicine: empowering zakho’s health and future summit

Abstract Background: Vitamin D and iron are the two common childhood nutritional deficiencies in developing countries. Research suggests a link between low vitamin D levels and iron deficiency anemia. This study investigated associations between vitamin D and iron status in children under 12 years in Duhok /Iraq. Patients and Methods: The study included 270 children aged 1 to 12 years:145 cases subdivided into 37 with iron deficiency anemia and 108 with iron deficiency, and 125 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Vitamin D, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and full blood counts were measured, alongside height, weight, and body mass index. Iron deficiency anemia was hemoglobin ≤11 g/dl, MCV ≤70 fL, RDW≥15%, and transferrin saturation <15%. Hb>11 g/dL and transferrin saturation <15% were used to determine iron deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were defined as 25(OH)D ≤20 ng/mL, 20–30 ng/mL, and >30 ng/mL, respectively. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: among cases (58.5% male, mean age of 4.91 ± 3.10 years). Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 39.3%, insufficiency in 23.0%, and sufficiency in 37.8%. Cases showed a lower mean of iron (32.44 vs. 75.17 µg/dL), and transferrin saturation (10.66% vs. 22.29%) compared to controls (p = 0.001). Additionally, cases exhibited lower vitamin D levels (26.99 vs. 31.46 ng/mL, p = 0.049), weight (16.27 vs. 19.40 kg, p = 0.001), and height (99.92 vs. 108.51 cm, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D and iron deficiencies were significantly associated with impaired growth. Early intervention is essential to improve growth and health outcomes.