Vitamin D deficiency and rickets on the rise

Healthcare professionals say more children than ever are presenting with vitamin D deficiency which can cause seizures and rickets. Whilst vitamin D deficiency is common among the white population, many cases of rickets in the UK are seen in Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Middle Eastern children, with some research suggesting incidence of the disease could be as high as 1 in 100 children in ethnic minority groups. Dark-skinned people do not absorb as much sunlight through the skin and may also wear clothing that limits exposure to the sun for cultural reasons. Beneficiaries of the Government’s “Healthy Start” scheme will be given free vitamins.