How should we give Vitamin D supplementation? evaluation of the pediatricians' knowledge in Turkey
Italian Journal of Pediatrics, cilt.43, sa.1, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 43 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2017
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s13052-017-0415-3
- Dergi Adı: Italian Journal of Pediatrics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Child, Knowledge, Pediatrician, Vitamin D
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: We aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Turkish pediatricians concerning vitamin D supplement. Methods: The study was planned cross-sectional to be carried out between April-May 2015 in Turkey. A questionnaire form that determined the participants' opinions and practices concerning vitamin D supplement was completed via face-to-face interview. Results: A total of 107 pediatricians (49.3%) and 110 pediatric residents (50.7%) participated in the study. Of the physicians, 85.2% recommended vitamin D supplement for all infants and children regardless of diet, 13.4% recommended for the infants which are solely breastfed. Vitamin D supplement is recommended at a dose of 400 IU/day by 88.8% of pediatricians and by 90% of pediatric residents. Of the pediatricians and pediatric residents, 72% and 68.2%, respectively commence vitamin D supplement when the newborn is 15 days old. The rates of recommending vitamin D supplement until the age of one and two years were higher among pediatricians (48.6% and 41.1%, respectively) than pediatric residents (40.9% and 32.7%, respectively). The rate of starting vitamin D supplement for fontanelle closure was significantly higher among pediatric residents (15.5%) than pediatricians (3.7%) (p = 0.002). It was determined that the rate of prescribing vitamin D supplement until fontanelle closure was higher among pediatric residents (18.2%) than pediatricians (0.9%). Conclusions: The present study suggest that the knowledge of pediatricians about recommendation of vitamin D needs to be enhanced by education programs in addition to free vitamin D supplement provided by the Ministry of Health.