Vitamin D - Do We Know Enough?

Introduction: Vitamin D is necessary for health in children as well in adults.

Aim of the study: to evaluate the level of knowledge of parents regarding Vitamin D and its importance in child health.

Material and method: we had performed a prospective study including 200 subjects, based on questionnaire: the data were collected and processed.

Results: The subjects came from urban area (76%) and rural area (24%); most of them had medium education - high school (88%0, faculty (10%0 and primary school (2%). The source of medical information was: internet (58%), knowledge from school (13,5%), medical staff - familiy doctor and pediatrician (28,5%). Regarding the role of Vitamin D, 65% of subjects knew the connection with calcium and phosphorus absorbtion and bone integrity and 35% had no informations. 58,5% of subjects knew the role of sun light exposure in Vitamin D synthesis and 52,8% could enumerate few main diet sources of Vitamin D. The informations were pour regarding the dosis, period of year, and lenght of administration of Vitamin D. data about ricket were also pour 950% of subjects knew about it and connection with Vitamin D deficiency, from those, 68% knew signs of ricket); 48% of subjects knew about intoxication sings with Vitamin D and the correct attitude.

Conclusions: The knowledge about Vitamin D were satisfactory. The knowledge about ricket were pour. the administration of Vitamin D is accepted by parents as " something that must be done" but with no connection with ricket nor with other effects on body. The main source of information was media, internet, and discussions with other parents on forum; the parental decisions were influenced by other parents advices. Medical policy sholud focus on better information and communication with parents.