Vitamin D deficiency in mothers of infants with rickets

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify infants treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets, and to determine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in their mothers and their mothers' country of origin. DESIGN: A retrospective audit of the medical records of children diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency rickets. Inpatients were identified by discharge diagnoses of vitamin D deficiency or hypocalcaemia and outpatients by pharmacy dispensing of cholecalciferol. SETTING: The Women's and Children's Health Care Network and the Southern Health Care Network (Melbourne, VIC) from June 1994 to February 1999. PATIENTS: 55 children with vitamin D deficiency rickets. RESULTS: Fifty-four of the 55 children were born to mothe..