Variations in infant and childhood vitamin D supplementation programmes across Europe and factors influencing adherence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nutritional rickets is a growing global public health concern despite existing prevention programmes and health policies. We aimed to compare infant and childhood vitamin D supplementation policies, implementation strategies and practices across Europe and explore factors influencing adherence.

Methods

European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Bone and Growth Plate Working Group members and other specialists completed a questionnaire on country-specific vitamin D supplementation policy and child health care programmes, socioeconomic factors, policy implementation strategies and adherence. Factors influencing adherence were assessed using Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient.

Results

Responses were received from 29 of 30 European countries (97%). Nine

SUBMITTER: Uday S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5655685 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature