Irish Child Health Database - Peer Reviewed Papers
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Vitamin D in childhood and adolescence
Published in:
Postgrad Med J, Vol: 83, Page: 230-5
Publication Date:
April 2007
Aims & Objectives:
This article discusses Vitamin D in childhood and adolescence
Abstract:
It is well-established that prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. More marginal vitamin D deficiency is likely to be a significant contributing factor to osteoporosis risk. However, recent emerging data from studies of adults suggest that low vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <50 nmol/l) may be contributing to the development of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. Adequacy of vitamin D status in children and adolescents has been the focus of a number of recent investigations, and these studies have shown a high prevalence of low vitamin D status during the winter (especially in adolescents), with lower prevalence during the summer. Therefore, consideration of potential corrective strategies to allow children and adolescents to maintain adequate vitamin D status throughout the year, even in the absence of adequate summer sun exposure, is warranted.
Authors:
K. D. Cashman
Study Type:
Non Study Papers » Discussion paper, review, commentary, letter »
Keywords:
- Adolescent
- Age Distribution
- Bone Diseases/etiology
- Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Diabetes Mellitus/etiology
- Humans
- Infant
- Neoplasms/etiology
- Vitamin D Deficiency/ etiology
- Vitamin D/ physiology
Geography:
Republic of Ireland (Republic of Ireland)