[Deficiency rickets: the current situation in France and Algeria]

Pediatrie. 1989;44(4):259-64.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Persisting vitamin D deficiency rickets in France results from the climatic, environmental and geographic situation of this country. Although systematic administration of vitamin D supplements to infants greatly reduced the prevalence of rickets among infants, clinical and/or biological signs of vitamin D deficiency are still found in children and adolescents, mainly during the winter and in populations vulnerable for economic, cultural or religious reasons. Signs of vitamin D deficiency are also found, during the winter-spring seasons, in pregnant women and their newborns living in urban areas. Such vitamin D deficiencies could be overcome by vitamin D supplementation to susceptible populations. In Algeria, vitamin D deficiency rickets present a continuing public health problem. The persisting high incidence of rickets among children appears to result mainly from economic and cultural factors. Vitamin D supplementation and health education are mandatory to reduce the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and the occurrence of vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants, whether breast-fed or not.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algeria
  • Calcifediol / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Rickets / epidemiology*
  • Rickets / etiology
  • Rickets / prevention & control
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / etiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control

Substances

  • Calcifediol