Attitudes of Pediatricians Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2016 Sep 1;8(3):368-71. doi: 10.4274/jcrpe.2978. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Abstract

To determine the adherence of pediatricians to the nationwide 'Vitamin D Prophylaxis Program' and to evaluate their attitudes about vitamin D intake. The study was conducted using the Turkish National Pediatrics Association network. The pediatricians were asked to respond to an online questionnaire that included five questions on 'What dose of vitamin D they recommend for supplementation?', 'At what age they start vitamin D supplementation?', 'Supplementation method', 'Clichés and truths about vitamin D', and 'High-dose vitamin D therapy indications'. Responses of 167 pediatricians were evaluated in this study. 75.5% of pediatricians indicated that they recommended vitamin D supplementation in a daily dose of 400 IU. 47.1% started vitamin D supplementation by the end of the 2nd week. 7.83% of pediatricians suggested doubling the daily dose of vitamin D supplementation in infants with delayed tooth eruption, 19.9% suggested immediate cessation of vitamin D supplementation in infants with small anterior fontanels. This study showed that the majority of the pediatricians still prescribe vitamin D prophylaxis late, recommend high doses of vitamin D in cases of delayed tooth eruption, and think that low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level regardless of alkaline or phosphatase parathyroid hormone measurement is an indication for high-dose vitamin D (stoss) therapy. These results suggest a need for new training programs focusing on vitamin D supplementation.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pediatricians / psychology
  • Pediatricians / statistics & numerical data*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control*
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage
  • Vitamins / blood
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D