Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide, including in children of Saudi Arabia. Vitamin D has numerous beneficial skeletal and non-skeletal physiological effects. Vitamin D is not only essential for bone health, but also promotes proper brain development and functioning. Vitamin D also serves many important functions, such as promoting calcium absorption and reducing inflammation.
Aim: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychological impacts in children and adolescents, and to determine whether vitamin D therapy has beneficial psychological effects in this population.
Study design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The sample included 181 young children and adolescents between 2 and 18 years of age (88 females, 93 male) from various regions of the city. Relevant data were collected during clinic interviews. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test for nominal data. Interview data were used to compare pre- and post-vitamin D treatment factors.
Results: Psychological manifestations associated with vitamin D deficiency were commonly seen between 6-12 years of age (40.9%), 2-6 years of age (38.1%), and 12-18 years of age (21.0%). Males (51.4%) exhibited higher rate of deficiency when compared to females (48.6%), although this relationship was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.441). Most males and females displayed insufficient vitamin D levels. A significant improvement in psychological symptoms was noted with vitamin D therapy (p-value<0.05).
Conclusion: A correlational relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychological problems was revealed in children and adolescents, through comparison of improvements psychological issues following vitamin D therapy.