The natural history of vitamin D deficiency in African refugees living in Sydney

• DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02490.x
• Publication Date: 2019-09-24T07:43:03Z
• Authors: Paul Z Benitez‐Ag...; Nicholas J Wood; Cornelis Biesheuvel; Conrad Moreira; Craig F Munns
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Black People; Cohort Studies; 03 medical and health sciences; Sex Factors; 0302 clinical medicine; Africa, Northern; Residence Characteristics; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Child; Refugees; Age Factors; Australia; Infant; Middle Aged; Vitamin D Deficiency; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Child, Preschool; Female; Seasons

Objective: To describe the natural history of vitamin D deficiency in an at-risk population African migrants living Sydney. Design, setting and participants: Opportunistic study 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations over time a community-based cohort North refugee families south-western As part health-screening program, serum 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate (PO4) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured September 2006 (end winter, T1). Results for 25(OH)D made available, treatment was recommended as appropriate. In February–March 2007 summer, T2), separate high-dose (stoss) therapy, same contacted, measurements repeated. Main outcome measures: Changes PTH, ALP PO4 between T1 T2 those who had not received supplementation intervening period. Results: We collected data from 149 participants at T1; by T2, 58 (39%) been excluded or lost to follow-up. Data 91 (46% female), all whom Type VI (very dark) skin pigmentation, included analysis. All deficient T1. Between mean concentration increased 19 nmol/L (SD, 5.6 nmol/L) 36 12.4 (P< 0.001). Of participants, 79 (87%) remained T2. Serum PTH activity decreased 0.05). Conclusion: Despite significant increase period, most end summer. Our results support current consensus that recommends annual screening routine populations, such dark-skinned veiled groups.