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The top 10 chronic childhood health problems are all associated with low Vitamin D

Top 10 Chronic Health conditions of children (Dental is #1)

RankChronic Health ConditionPrevalence RateAge GroupKey Details
1Dental Caries (Tooth Decay)23% - 29%2-11 years23% in ages 2-5; 29% in ages 9-11 1 10 19
2Obesity12.7% - 20.7%2-18 years12.7% (ages 2-5); 20.7% (ages 6-11) 1 6 11
3Seasonal Allergies18.9%0-17 yearsBoys more affected (20%) than girls (17.7%) 14
4Developmental Delays16-18%School-ageIncludes various developmental disorders 4
5ADHD/ADD11.1% (1 in 9)5-17 yearsApproximately 7 million children diagnosed in 2022 4 12
6Eczema10.8%0-17 yearsHighest in ages 6-11 (12.1%) 14
7Asthma8.5%0-18 yearsMore common in boys (7.0%) than girls (5.4%) 4 16
8Learning Disabilities9%School-ageAffects academic performance and development 4
9Food Allergies5.8%0-17 yearsHigher among Black children (7.6%) 14 16
10Autism Spectrum Disorder3.2% (1 in 31)8 years22% increase since 2020; demographic shift observed 4 13


 Perplexity PDF contains details


See also - Vitamin D cut dental caries in half in 1930's – meta-analysis 2013


Earlier Top 10 (not in order, did not include dental)

Based on the most commonly referenced sources, the top 10 chronic health problems in children typically include:
- Asthma
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Juvenile Arthritis
- Epilepsy
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (chronic ear infection)
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Hypertension24713
Other frequently mentioned chronic conditions include obesity, anemia, malnutrition, congenital heart disease, and depression/anxiety157.

Chronic Childhood Conditions Associated with Low Vitamin D

Among these common chronic health problems, the following have well-established or emerging associations with low vitamin D:

Chronic Condition         Low Vitamin D Evidence/Notes                      
Asthma                   Yes                           Low vitamin D is linked to increased asthma severity and exacerbations61016.            
Type 1 Diabetes           Yes                           Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with type 1 diabetes and may impact immune function1016.
Cystic Fibrosis           Yes                           Malabsorption leads to high risk of vitamin D deficiency, affecting bone health810.        
Juvenile Arthritis       Yes                           Children with chronic inflammatory conditions have higher risk of vitamin D deficiency1016.
Epilepsy                 Yes                           Some antiepileptic drugs reduce vitamin D levels, increasing risk of deficiency and bone disease10.
Obesity                   Yes                           Obese children are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency due to sequestration in adipose tissue610.
Malnutrition             Yes                           Inadequate dietary intake can directly cause vitamin D deficiency107
         

Other conditions such as ADHD, chronic sinusitis, chronic ear infections, rheumatic heart disease, and hypertension do not have a strong or direct association with vitamin D deficiency based on current evidence.

Summary Table-
Condition                  Low Vitamin D?
Asthma                     Yes VDW                    
Type 1 Diabetes             Yes  VDW                  
ADHD                       Yes VDW                
Cystic Fibrosis             Yes VDW                   
Juvenile Arthritis         Yes  VDW               
Epilepsy                   Yes  VDW                
Chronic Sinusitis           Yes  PDF
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Yes  VDW          
Rheumatic Heart Disease     Yes    PDF              
Hypertension               Yes VDW                 
Obesity                     Yes  VDW               
Malnutrition               Yes                    
Additional Notes

- Vitamin D deficiency is particularly prevalent in children with chronic systemic diseases affecting the gastrointestinal, renal, liver, neurologic, and musculoskeletal systems, often due to malabsorption, limited sun exposure, or medication side effects108.
- Children with chronic illnesses are at increased risk for poor bone health due to both their underlying disease and the higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency10.
- Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children can be subtle and may overlap with symptoms of chronic illness, making proactive screening important in high-risk groups610.

    • In summary:** Of the top 10 chronic health problems in children, asthma, type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, juvenile arthritis, epilepsy, obesity, and malnutrition are most strongly associated with low vitamin D681016.

Citations:
1 https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/caring-for-sick-children-and-their-families/children-with-chronic-health-conditions
2 https://www.marwellus.com/blog/common-chronic-illnesses-in-children
3 https://linkprimarycare.com/common-pediatric-chronic-illnesses/
4 https://www.pedistat.com/blog/top-10-chronic-diseases-in-children
5 https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/pediatric-chronic-disease-prevalence-has-risen-nearly-30
6 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-kids-and-teens
7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_chronic_illness
8 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency
9 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/child-health.htm
10 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10302516/
11 https://oacas.libguides.com/c.php?g=728320
12 https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/128762-overview
13 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5010981/
14 https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/illnesses-linked-vitamin-d-deficiency/
15 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/default.aspx
16 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5440113/
17 https://medlineplus.gov/vitaminddeficiency.html
18 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523235935
19 https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/vitamin-d-deficiency

Attached files

ID Name Comment Uploaded Size Downloads
22723 Top 10 Chronic Health Problems Affecting Children June.pdf admin 08 Jun, 2025 322.99 Kb 0
22654 RHD and Vit D.pdf admin 23 May, 2025 179.79 Kb 15
22653 The Association Between Chronic Rhinosinusitis and.pdf admin 23 May, 2025 377.20 Kb 12