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

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Top 10 Chronic Health Problems in Children

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

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A second list of top 10 Chronic Health conditions under age 19 - Perplexity AI

1. Asthma: One of the most common chronic conditions in children, affecting millions of young people in the U.S..
2. Obesity: A significant health issue that can lead to various other chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
3. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): A prevalent chronic condition that requires lifelong management and can lead to serious complications if not properly controlled.
4. Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, impacting daily life and development.
5. Food Allergies: Increasingly common among children, food allergies can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening reactions.
6. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention, impulse control, and activity levels, with significant impacts on academic and social functioning.
7. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A group of developmental disorders that affect communication, behavior, and social interactions.
8. Dental Cavities (Caries): The most common chronic disease in children, leading to pain, infection, and issues with eating and speaking.
9. Mental Health Disorders (e.g., Depression and Anxiety): These conditions are increasingly recognized as significant health issues among adolescents, affecting their overall well-being and functioning.
10. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
     Perplexity PDF