Vitamin D levels in children of asylum seekers in The Netherlands in relation to season and dietary intake.

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc, published as a randomized controlled trial.

Low dietary intake and limited sun exposure during Dutch winters, in particular when combined with highly pigmented skin, could compromise the vitamin D status of asylum seekers' children in The Netherlands.

The researchers determined the vitamin D status of children living in The Netherlands, but originating from Africa, Central Asia, or Eastern Europe.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 112 children were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as young children and children, both men and women.

In total 112 children (median age 7.1 yr, range 2-12 yr) were assessed for serum concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized study.

The children were allocated by chance, so the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc group and the comparison group should start out alike.

What Was Measured

In a subgroup, the researchers reassessed the vitamin D status after the summer, during which the children had been assigned at random to remain unsupplemented or to receive vitamin D supplementation.

The subject headings attached to it are Calcium, Dietary, Netherlands, Nutritional Status, Prevalence, Refugees, Seasons and Vitamin D.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in 112 children.

The publication is from 2007 (European journal of pediatrics), a journal based in Germany.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, all human trials.