<b>Exploring vitamin D deficiency: A retrospective study of serum vitamin D levels in a Tertiary Hospital in Kerala</b>

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a global health concern all over the world, with evidence linking low vitamin D levels to a diverse list of skeletal and non-skeletal disorders. This retrospective study aims to explore the serum vitamin D levels in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Kerala and identify potential demographic factors contributing to this condition. Aim: To assess the Vitamin D levels among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Kerala in the past 3 years. To determine the associations between Vitamin D levels and demographic factors, such as age and gender. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using laboratory data from June 2021 to May 2024, collected from the AOSTA application, focusing primarily on Vitamin D levels, age, and gender of all patients over 18. Results: From the laboratory data of 1940 study participants, 31.4% were deficient and 29.1% were insufficient in vitamin D. A total of 34.8% of the females were found to be deficient in comparison to males to a statistically significant level. Considering the age factor, Vitamin D deficiency was more prominent among younger age groups and this was statistically significant among females. Conclusion: Despite Kerala’s tropical climate and ample sun exposure, Vitamin D deficiency remains surprisingly prevalent. The findings of this study also clearly show that targeted public health strategies in the form of screening, supplementation, and fortification should be implemented from an early age.