Background: Globally there is a high burden of low serum vitamin
D deficiency (VDD) with children being acknowledged at risk due to low vitamin
D content in both breastmilk and available foods and inadequate cutaneous
synthesis of vitamin D. Even in countries with abundant sunshine, vitamin D
deficiency (VDD) remains a problem. There is little characterization of the
status of vitamin D among infants in East Africa. This study aimed to determine
the prevalence and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency among infants
attending the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Clinic in Arusha, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 304 infants aged 6 weeks to 12 months was
conducted at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). Infants were enrolled
during the warm season between November 2018 and January 2019. A pre-coded
questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics of
the infant with consent from their caretakers. Physical examination was done
for anthropometric measures and signs of rickets. Blood was drawn for
assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus and
alkaline phosphate. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D level below 20
ng/ml (<50 nmol/L) and Vitamin D insufficiency defined as a 25(OH)D level 20
- 30 ng/ml (50 - 75 nmol/L). Statistical analysis
was performed using STATA 14 version and factors associated with VDD explored
with multivariate analysis. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D among
infants was 34.51 ng/ml (±15.53). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 67/304
(22%) infants and Vitamin D insufficiency in 50 (16.5%) infants. Hypocalcemia
was observed in 33 (10.9%) infants and clinical findings of rickets were found
in 11 infants (3.6%). Factors independently associated with VDD included age
< 6 months (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.56, 95% CI 1.19 - 4.0, p value < 0.026),
serum signs of rickets and serum hypocalcemia (p-value < 0.001 and
<0.002, respectively). Conclusion and Recommendation: A high
prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency (22%) and insufficiency (16.5%)
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