Resumen

PALACIOS, Cristina  y  GONZALEZ, Lilliana. Vitamin D deficiency is a major global public health problem. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2014, vol.27, n.1, pp.57-72. ISSN 0798-0752.

Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide. However, most countries are still lacking data, particularly in infants, children, adolescents and pregnant women. The objective of the present report was to conduct a more recent systematic review of global vitamin D status, with particular emphasis in at risk groups. A systematic review was conducted between April and June of 2013 to identify articles on vitamin D status worldwide published in the last 10 years in apparently healthy individuals. Only studies with vitamin D status prevalence were included. If available, the first source selected was population-based or representative samples studies. Clinical trials, case-control studies, case reports or series, reviews, validation studies, letters, editorials, or qualitative studies were excluded. A total of 98 articles were eligible and included in the present report. Prevalence of vitamin D status was reported by continent. In areas with available data, the prevalence of low vitamin D status is a global problem in all age groups, in particular in girls and women from the Middle East. These results also evidenced the regions with missing data for each specific population groups, such as in infants, children and adolescents worldwide, and in most countries of South America and Africa. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem in all age groups, particularly in those from the Middle East.

Palabras clave : Vitamin D deficiency; infants; children; adolescents; adults; elder; pregnancy.

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