How did Vitamin D Levels of Children Change During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Pre-pandemic/Pandemic Periods due to Seasonal Differences 

Vitamin D levels of healthy children (>6 years old) and adolescents decreased in the first year of the pandemic most likely due to the pandemic-related restrictions.

• • The mean 25(OH)D levels among preschool children did not differ pre and post 
  • The vitamin D levels of school-aged children and adolescents were significantly lower in the pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic period in 6-12 age group (p=0.026); and in 12-18 age group (p=0.003)].  
  • The 25(OH)D levels of adolescents showed seasonal variance with lower levels in winter, and unexpectedly, in summer. 

Healthy children (3033) and adolescents in Turkey who were admitted for general check-ups and evaluated with 25(OH)D levels.

• This study did not control for COVID-19 status or other issues that may have impacted vitamin D levels 
• This study did not control diet or other factors that may have also changed during this time 
• They did not assess what restrictions the participants were exposed to nor did they do a correlational study therefore the conclusion that the low status is due to the restrictions should be taken with skepticism 

Pandemic-related restrictions have caused significant decreases in vitamin D levels of school-aged children and adolescents. We suggest that children and adolescents should be given vitamin D supplementation in order to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D during the pandemic.

• Vitamin D levels were compared pre and post pandemic in 3033 children aged 1 to 18 years 

Beyazgül G, Bağ Ö, Yurtseven İ, et al. How Vitamin D Levels of Children Changed During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Pre-pandemic and Pandemic Periods. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2022;14(2):188-195. doi:10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2022.2021-10-6.