Infection Status of Rural Schoolchildren and its Relationship with Vitamin D Concentrations.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional and infection status of rural schoolchildren and to study the relationship of infection status with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. METHODS: This study was carried out in a primary school, in a rural setting, near Pune (18°N), Maharashtra. Data collected from 387 children included anthropometric, clinical, infection-related data (using a validated questionnaire) and dietary data (by 24-h recall method over 3 non-consecutive days, including a holiday) and serum 25(OH)D estimations (by ELISA). RESULTS: Prevalence of underweight and stunting were 18% and 11% respectively. Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) related symptoms were commonly reported. Episodes of URTI were found to be significantly and negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (rs = -0.14, p < 0.05) and lesser URTI episodes and duration were reported by children who were vitamin D sufficient as compared to those who were insufficient. No association of total infections was found with vitamin D status. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate prevalence of underweight and stunting and frequent URTIs were observed in this population. Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations and vitamin D sufficiency may be important for prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in rural children.