Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 302, Issue 7822, 28 July 1973, Pages 167-172
The Lancet

VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY IN ASIANS AT HOME AND IN BRITAIN

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(73)93004-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Serum concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were measured in 119 Indians living in or around the Punjab town of Ludhiana. In contrast to the findings in an earlier survey among an ethnically similar group of Asians living in northern England, biochemical evidence suggesting the presence of vitamin-D deficiency was found in only one Punjabi. Since the intake of vitamin D was low and the dietary and social customs were similar in the two groups, it is inferred that the absence of vitamin-D deficiency in the Punjabis was probably due to their exposure to sunshine. It is concluded that the high frequency of rickets and osteomalacia among Asians in Britain can be explained by their low intake of vitamin D and inadequate solar exposure. This conclusion accords fully with the results of earlier epidemiological studies of the frequency of these diseases in the Indian subcontinent.

References (31)

  • C.H.J. Swan et al.

    Lancet

    (1971)
  • G.A. Lumb et al.

    Am. J. Med.

    (1971)
  • S.W. Stanbury et al.
  • M.R. Wills et al.

    Lancet

    (1972)
  • J.G. Reinhold et al.

    Lancet

    (1973)
  • I. Smith et al.

    Clinica chim. Acta

    (1968)
  • J.W. Mull et al.

    Am. J. Obstet. Gynec.

    (1934)
  • B.E.C. Nordin

    Lancet

    (1959)
  • M.A. Preece et al.

    Lancet

    (1973)
  • R. Nelson et al.

    Lancet

    (1973)
  • M.G. Dunnigan et al.

    Scott. med. J.

    (1962)
  • M.G. Dunnigan et al.

    Scott. med. J.

    (1965)
  • D.J.C. Felton et al.

    Br. med. J.

    (1966)
  • J.A. Ford et al.

    Br. med. J.

    (1972)
  • F. Clark et al.

    Proc. R. Soc. Med.

    (1972)
  • Cited by (63)

    • Vitamin D deficiency and nutritional rickets in infants and children

      2023, Feldman and Pike's Vitamin D: Volume Two: Disease and Therapeutics
    • Reduced Maternal Serum Total, Free and Bioavailable Vitamin D Levels and its Association with the Risk for Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

      2021, Archives of Medical Research
      Citation Excerpt :

      Majority of the cases (61%) and controls (77%) were studied in winter (September–March with relatively low sun exposure) 39% of cases and 22% of controls in summer (April–August) respectively based on the regional climate (24). Further, it is assumed that residing in tropical country with abundant sunshine favours enough cutaneous vitamin D synthesis throughout the year (25). The suicide risk was evaluated by examining response to the item no.10 of the EPDS (26).

    • Nutritional Rickets

      2012, Pediatric Bone
    • Nutritional Rickets

      2011, Pediatric Bone: Biology and Diseases
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text