Intended for healthcare professionals

Research Article

Policy for prevention of Asian rickets in Britain: a preliminary assessment of the Glasgow rickets campaign.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981; 282 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.282.6261.357 (Published 31 January 1981) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981;282:357
  1. M G Dunnigan,
  2. W B McIntosh,
  3. G R Sutherland,
  4. R Gardee,
  5. B Glekin,
  6. J A Ford,
  7. I Robertson

    Abstract

    Evidence of continuing hospital admissions of patients with Asian rickets and osteomalacia led to a further attempt to provide more effective preventive measures for the Glasgow Asian community. Dose-response studies showed that the equivalent of 10 microgram of vitamin D daily would provide effective prophylaxis, and a general practice survey showed that self-administered vitamin D supplements would reduce the prevalence and severity of Asian rickets. A multidisciplinary working group devised a preventive campaign based on the free issue of vitamin D supplements on demand to children who required them. Supported by a health education programme for community health personnel and the Asian community, the first 16 months of the campaign produced an eight-fold rise in the issue of supplements to older Asian children and a 33% increase in their issue to infants of all ethnic groups. Because more children are receiving vitamin D supplementation the campaign seems likely to reduce the prevalence of Asian rickets in Glasgow.