Top 10 Chronic Health conditions of children (Dental is #1)
| Rank | Chronic Health Condition | Prevalence Rate | Age Group | Key Details |
| 1 | Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) | 23% - 29% | 2-11 years | 23% in ages 2-5; 29% in ages 9-11 1 10 19 |
| 2 | Obesity | 12.7% - 20.7% | 2-18 years | 12.7% (ages 2-5); 20.7% (ages 6-11) 1 6 11 |
| 3 | Seasonal Allergies | 18.9% | 0-17 years | Boys more affected (20%) than girls (17.7%) 14 |
| 4 | Developmental Delays | 16-18% | School-age | Includes various developmental disorders 4 |
| 5 | ADHD/ADD | 11.1% (1 in 9) | 5-17 years | Approximately 7 million children diagnosed in 2022 4 12 |
| 6 | Eczema | 10.8% | 0-17 years | Highest in ages 6-11 (12.1%) 14 |
| 7 | Asthma | 8.5% | 0-18 years | More common in boys (7.0%) than girls (5.4%) 4 16 |
| 8 | Learning Disabilities | 9% | School-age | Affects academic performance and development 4 |
| 9 | Food Allergies | 5.8% | 0-17 years | Higher among Black children (7.6%) 14 16 |
| 10 | Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3.2% (1 in 31) | 8 years | 22% increase since 2020; demographic shift observed 4 13 |
Perplexity PDF contains details
See also - Vitamin D cut dental caries in half in 1930's – RCT meta-analysis
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.
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