Effectiveness of the national vitamin D supplementation program: evaluation of children aged 0-3 years in Karabük province.

Only one-fourth of children achieved adequate vitamin D levels during the first 12 months of life under Turkey's National Vitamin D Supplementation Program.

• The study examined children aged 0-36 months in Karabük province, Turkey.
• Data were collected across three age intervals: 0-12, 12-24, and 24-36 months.
• Approximately 25% of children in the 0-12 month age group attained adequate vitamin D levels.
• Turkey provides free vitamin D drop supplementation during the first 12 months after birth as part of the national program.

The proportion of children with adequate vitamin D levels progressively declined from approximately one-fourth at 12 months to one-tenth by 36 months.

• Adequate vitamin D levels were achieved by approximately 25% of children in the 0-12 month group.
• This proportion declined further in the 12-24 month age interval.
• By the 24-36 month age interval, only approximately 10% of children had adequate vitamin D levels.
• The decline coincides with the end of the free supplementation program at 12 months of age.

The majority of children aged 0-36 months failed to attain desired vitamin D levels, indicating widespread vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in this population.

• The study assessed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and sufficiency across all three age intervals.
• The findings applied to children in Karabük province, Turkey.
• Vitamin D deficiency prevalence was examined across the full 0-36 month age range.
• The results indicate the national supplementation program is not achieving its intended outcomes for most children.

Reforms are considered necessary in the current vitamin D supplementation strategy, with emphasis on healthcare provider involvement and implementation of a control mechanism.

• Healthcare providers in primary care settings were identified as needing to play a central role in enhancing program effectiveness.
• A new strategy should focus on thorough explanation and implementation of a control mechanism.
• The control mechanism should ensure oversight by encouraging reminders to caregivers.
• The current program provides free vitamin D drops only before age one, which the findings suggest is insufficient to maintain adequate levels through 36 months.