OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism in Hui and Han ethnic children in Lanzhou region and to study the difference between children of the two different ethnic groups. METHODS: VDR genotypes were assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 81 healthy Hui ethnic children and in 169 healthy Han ethnic children. RESULTS: Frequencies of bb, Bb and BB genotype were 70. 4% , 27. 2% and 2.5% respectively in the 81 Hui ethnic children and they were 91.1 % , 7.1% and 1.8% respectively in the 169 Han ethnic children. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in the frequency distribution of VDR genotype between Hui and Han ethnic children. [Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2003, 5(1): 37-38]