Abstract
A study of the frequency of admitted cases of femoral neck fractures to Riyadh Central Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showed admission of 95 patients over 40 years of age in a period of one year. Vitamin D nutritional status of patients with fractures of the neck of the femur expressed as 25-(OH)D sub(3) was significantly lower (5.9 plus or minus 2.9 ng/ml) than of controls (9.7 plus or minus 4.7 ng/ml). Comparison of the housing types of both patients and controls showed that those living in traditionalmud houses have significantly lower levels of 25-(OH)D sub(3) than those occupying villas or flats.