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.

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