The top 10 chronic childhood health problems are all associated with low Vitamin D

Created May 2025

Top 10 Chronic Health conditions of children (Dental is #1)
Rank Chronic Health Condition Prevalence Rate Age Group Key Details
1 Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) 23% - 29% 2-11 years 23% in ages 2-5; 29% in ages 9-11 1 10 19
2 Obesity 12.7% - 20.7% 2-18 years 12.7% (ages 2-5); 20.7% (ages 6-11) 1 6 11
3 Seasonal Allergies 18.9% 0-17 years Boys more affected (20%) than girls (17.7%) 14
4 Developmental Delays 16-18% School-age Includes various developmental disorders 4
5 ADHD/ADD 11.1% (1 in 9) 5-17 years Approximately 7 million children diagnosed in 2022 4 12
6 Eczema 10.8% 0-17 years Highest in ages 6-11 (12.1%) 14
7 Asthma 8.5% 0-18 years More common in boys (7.0%) than girls (5.4%) 4 16
8 Learning Disabilities 9% School-age Affects academic performance and development 4
9 Food Allergies 5.8% 0-17 years Higher among Black children (7.6%) 14 16
10 Autism Spectrum Disorder 3.2% (1 in 31) 8 years 22% increase since 2020; demographic shift observed 4 13

📄 Perplexity PDF contains details

See also - Vitamin D cut dental caries in half in 1930's – RCT meta-analysis

Earlier Top 10 (not in order, did not include dental)

Based on the most commonly referenced sources, the top 10 chronic health problems in children typically include:

  • Asthma

  • Type 1 Diabetes

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Cystic Fibrosis

  • Juvenile Arthritis

  • Epilepsy

  • Chronic Sinusitis

  • Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (chronic ear infection)

  • Rheumatic Heart Disease

  • Hypertension[2][4][7][13]

Other frequently mentioned chronic conditions include obesity, anemia, malnutrition, congenital heart disease, and depression/anxiety[1][5][7].

Chronic Childhood Conditions Associated with Low Vitamin D

Among these common chronic health problems, the following have well-established or emerging associations with low vitamin D:
Chronic Condition Low Vitamin D Evidence/Notes
Asthma Yes Low vitamin D is linked to increased asthma severity and exacerbations[6][10][16].
Type 1 Diabetes Yes Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with type 1 diabetes and may impact immune function[10][16].
Cystic Fibrosis Yes Malabsorption leads to high risk of vitamin D deficiency, affecting bone health[8][10].
Juvenile Arthritis Yes Children with chronic inflammatory conditions have higher risk of vitamin D deficiency[10][16].
Epilepsy Yes Some antiepileptic drugs reduce vitamin D levels, increasing risk of deficiency and bone disease[10].
Obesity Yes Obese children are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency due to sequestration in adipose tissue[6][10].
Malnutrition Yes Inadequate dietary intake can directly cause vitamin D deficiency[10][7]

         

Other conditions such as ADHD, chronic sinusitis, chronic ear infections, rheumatic heart disease, and hypertension do not have a strong or direct association with vitamin D deficiency based on current evidence.

Summary Table-
Condition Low Vitamin D?
Asthma Yes VDW
Type 1 Diabetes Yes  VDW
ADHD Yes VDW
Cystic Fibrosis Yes VDW
Juvenile Arthritis Yes  VDW
Epilepsy Yes  VDW
Chronic Sinusitis Yes  ðŸ“„ PDF
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Yes  VDW
Rheumatic Heart Disease Yes    ðŸ“„ PDF
Hypertension Yes VDW
Obesity Yes  VDW
Malnutrition Yes
Additional Notes

  • Vitamin D deficiency is particularly prevalent in children with chronic systemic diseases affecting the gastrointestinal, renal, liver, neurologic, and musculoskeletal systems, often due to malabsorption, limited sun exposure, or medication side effects[10][8].

  • Children with chronic illnesses are at increased risk for poor bone health due to both their underlying disease and the higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency[10].

  • Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children can be subtle and may overlap with symptoms of chronic illness, making proactive screening important in high-risk groups[6][10].

    • In summary:** Of the top 10 chronic health problems in children, asthma, type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, juvenile arthritis, epilepsy, obesity, and malnutrition are most strongly associated with low vitamin D[6][8][10][16].

    Citations :

[1] https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/caring-for-sick-children-and-their-families/children-with-chronic-health-conditions

[2] https://www.marwellus.com/blog/common-chronic-illnesses-in-children

[3] https://linkprimarycare.com/common-pediatric-chronic-illnesses/

[4] https://www.pedistat.com/blog/top-10-chronic-diseases-in-children

[5] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/pediatric-chronic-disease-prevalence-has-risen-nearly-30

[6] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-kids-and-teens

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhoodchronicillness

[8] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency

[9] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/child-health.htm

[10] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10302516/

[11] https://oacas.libguides.com/c.php?g=728320

[12] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/128762-overview

[13] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5010981/

[14] https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/illnesses-linked-vitamin-d-deficiency/

[15] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/default.aspx

[16] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5440113/

[17] https://medlineplus.gov/vitaminddeficiency.html

[18] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523235935

[19] https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/vitamin-d-deficiency

Tags: Infant-Child