Factors Affecting Vitamin D Absorption Efficiency in Infants and Children: Implications for Supplementation

Abstract

Around one billion individuals, including children, worldwide suffer from a deficiency of Vitamin D. Insufficient levels of this vitamin are linked to conditions such as rickets, asthma, sleep disorders, respiratory infections in children, and the development of chronic diseases later in life. While sunlight exposure remains the primary means of acquiring Vitamin D, it poses a significant risk to the delicate skin and eyes of babies and children, making sun protection a crucial concern during childhood. Consequently, this can impede their ability to produce Vitamin D naturally through the skin. Additionally, the dietary intake of Vitamin D is typically minimal. For these reasons, the importance of using Vitamin D supplements as an alternative source for this population has been well reported, but the absorption efficiency of the source is nascent. This narrative review aims to explore the various factors that Are there countries or populations of children (low SES families, etc.) who might be more likely to expeirence Vitamin D related health concerns? (In other words – are Vitamin D. deficies inequiatably distributed? How might these inequities be addressed?)