Seasonal variations in vitamin and micronutrient sufficiency in a cohort of children aged 3-14 years

Vitamin sufficiency in children can be estimated by the different values of their consumption in autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. The paper presents the results of a study assessing the prevalence of vitamin deficiency among children of various ages depending on the season. The study included children and adolescents aged from 3 to 14 years (n = 2587, 51% boys) in various regions of Russia. As a result, significant seasonal differences were found in vitamin sufficiency in children aged 3–14 years. Analysis of clusters of parameter interactions demonstrated a relationship between seasonal differences in sufficiency of vitamins B6, E, A, B2 and the risk of various pathologies in all age groups of children. Finally, the presence of seasonal variations in vitamin sufficiency in children was confirmed. This should be taken into account when prescribing vitamin and mineral complexes to children.