Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among School Children in Tobruk City, Libya

الملخص

A recent cross-sectional investigation in Tobruk, Libya, has uncovered a public health crisis of vitamin D deficiency among its pediatric population. The study, which surveyed 540 school children aged 6 to 14, determined that an alarming 87% were deficient in this essential nutrient. This issue, a known global health concern even in sun-replete areas like North Africa, was found to be statistically more acute in females (89.0%) than in males (84.1%). The methodological approach involved random sampling from four health centers and quantification of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] via chemiluminescence immunoassay, with deficiency defined by established clinical standards. Age-stratified data pinpointed specific high-risk groups: males aged 6–7 years (90.9% prevalence) and females aged 13–14 years (90.6% prevalence). Despite the severity of the deficiency, associated hypocalcemia was a rare finding, identified in only five cases. Given the critical nature of these results, the study concludes that immediate and targeted public health interventions are imperative. The high prevalence, particularly among young boys and adolescent girls, necessitates a multi-faceted strategy encompassing supplementation programs, food fortification, and educational campaigns on safe sun exposure to avert long-term health consequences in this vulnerable demographic.