SUBCLINICAL CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction. Rational nutrition, which provides the body with all the necessary nutrients, is an important factor for the development of children and the formation of their health. Today, about 3 billion people in the world, or almost half of the planet’s population, suffer from an imbalance in nutrition – both from excess and from insufficient. Unexpectedly for scientists and doctors, even in periods of relative well-being, a lack of minerals and vitamins was found in people’s diet. It is known that, in addition to maintaining the balance of metabolic processes in the body, adequate provision of the need for vitamins and minerals helps to reduce the risk of developing some diseases. The aim of the study – to assess the level of calcium in the blood of children of primary school age. Increase the efficiency of diagnosis and timely correction of subclinical calcium deficiency in children of primary school age. Research Methods. 60 schoolchildren were examined, and a questionnaire was administered, which helped to assess the eating behavior and eating habits of junior high school students. In particular, 20 of them are children who consume dairy products 2 times a week, the other 20 are extremely rare, and 20 are a control group (who have a balanced diet). The average age of patients is 10 ± 3 years. Dietary assessment was carried out using the Dietplan7 computer program, biochemical studies to determine total calcium, ionized calcium were carried out after their parents gave informed consent for invasive intervention. Results and Discussion. According to the study results, the serum calcium level in patients of group 1 ((2,3 ± 0,46) mmol/L) was 1,09 times lower than in the control group ((2,5 ± 0,12) mmol/L, p < 0,05). The mean serum calcium concentration in patients of group 2 was (2,1 ± 0,47) mmol/L, which is 1,2 times lower than the control value. The obtained results of ionized calcium levels in the blood serum of patients in group 1 ((1,18 ± 0,56) mmol/L) were 1,02 times lower than in the control group ((1,2 ± 0,34) mmol/L, p < 0,05). The mean ionized calcium concentration in the blood serum of patients in group 2 was (1,13 ± 0,24) mmol/L, which is 1,06 times lower than the control value. Conclusions. Thus, calcium intake during childhood and adolescence is crucial, as adequate intake of this element during this life stage promotes the formation of a positive calcium balance, optimal bone density necessary for skeletal strengthening, and also reduces the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in the future.