Alla förskolebarn i Sverige behöver vitamin D-berikad kost. Mörkhyade barn behöver D-vitamintillskott även efter 2 års ålder
Sammanfattning
Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were studied in 19 children of ethnic Swedish and 10 children of Somali origin, all 3-6 years old and living in Stockholm. In the autumn, the median value was significantly lower, 39 nmol/l, in children of Somali origin compared to 82 nmol/l in ethnic Swedish children. In the spring the medians were 47.5 and 67 nmo/l in children of Somali and ethnic Swedish origin, respectively. Milk products fortified with vitamin D were consumed only by 10 % of the children of Somali origin compared to 74 % of those of ethnic Swedish origin. Preschool children of Somali origin are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Children with dark skin and living at Nordic latitudes, require an increased amount of sun exposure to get satisfactory vitamin D synthesis. Enhanced guidance to parents about food rich in and enriched with vitamin D and specific supplementation is needed.