Vitamin D Supplementation in Children Aged 2 to 12 in Countries with Cold Climates: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: Low levels of blood vitamin D have been reported not only in children with otitis media and frequent respiratory tract
infections, but also in PFAPA syndrome patients. Levels of vitamin D are influenced regional and racial differences.
The objective of this scientific literature review was to inspect whether people who live in countries with cold climates have a
high demand for vitamin D supplementation; to know the population that requires vitamin D supplementation; to identify the
countries that are most demanding for these vitamin D interventions; and to verify the appropriate duration of a successful
intervention. For this, a systematic review was carried out under the PRISMA declaration, where 21 articles out of 207 were
included, found in the PubMed, SciELO, and gray literature databases. In summary, the effective interventions were carried out
mainly in homes, and with a duration equal to or less than 6 months, and it was possible to realize that the male population is the
most likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency.