Dark-skinned veil wearers face vitamin D deficiency

Melbourne, Apr 19 (ANI): Dark-skinned women who wear veils don't get enough vitamin D, according to a new study.

The study, conducted in Sydney's southwestern suburbs, included almost 150 North African migrants who took part in a health-screening programme.

Out of all the participants just two had sufficient levels of the vitamin which is needed for healthy bones and which the body derives from sun exposure.

The study was conducted in the winter and spring of 2006, and follow-up research, after the following summer, showed a slight increase in vitamin D levels but almost 90 per cent of those tested were still deficient.

According to Sydney-based Dr Craig Munns, of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, people who have very dark skin require additional sunlight to synthesise the amount of vitamin D they need.

"Although simple vitamin D deficiency is often asymptomatic, adults may present with bone pain, myalgia, myopathy, increased risk of falls, osteoperosis and hip fractures," The Australian Associated Press quoted Munns, as stating in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

"Children may present with hypocalcaemic seizures, bowed limbs, fractures and motor delay," the expert added. (ANI)