A new study is just been published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics this month November 2009.

J Mansbach, M.D.,  and the other authors of this paper again used The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the years 2001 to 2006.

The findings were absolutely astounding showing that 69% of all American children have vitamin D levels less than 27 ng/ml. Children in the age range of 6 to 11 years had a 73% prevalence of being less than 27 ng/ml. In addition, 92% of non-Hispanic black and 80% of Hispanic children had the same insufficient levels.

  This study corroborates the one that was published several months ago showing the extreme number of children in our country who are vitamin D deficient. As I’ve pointed out in my book, extensive use of sunblock, and children’s increasingly indoor focus for  activity, with computers and games, are contributing to this massive epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in our children.

We know from studies that early childhood deficiency of vitamin D is associated with higher levels of juvenile diabetes as well as MS in later life and probably asthma and autism

I encourage all of my patients and readers to be sure that their children are getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D as a supplement in their daily nutritional program all year but especially in the winter.  Remember! Food is not a good source of vitamin D for your children.

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