Bradford toddlers are to become the first in the UK to receive free vitamin D drops.
All under-twos will be offered the vitamin after a study by BradfordTeaching Hospital Trust found that between 2000 and 2005 more than 300children were deficient in the vitamin and 60 had rickets.
Though it is not unusual for parents on benefits to receive freevitamins for under-fives, Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust isthe first to also offer vitamin D to all under-twos.
Sarah Lockyer, the primary care trust's senior health promotionspecialist, said the study suggested south Asian girls aged 15 or underwere more at risk. Though the reasons were unknown, diet and lifestyleissues such as wearing traditional Muslim dress that prevents the skinabsorbing enough light could be to blame, she said.
