Recent concepts on vitamin D in children and adolescents

Abstract

Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin that functions as a prohormone and affects bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency causesboth musculoskeletal manifestations, including rickets, and extra-musculoskeletal symptoms. Because vitamin D is naturally present in only some foods, intake of daily foods cannot meet the dietary reference intake for vitamin D. Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D in humans therefore, the lack of sunlight can easily cause vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents. Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed on the basis ofits typical clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, and radiologic findings. Detection of vitamin D deficiency in children or adolescents necessitates the simultaneous administration of vitamin D and calcium supplements. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, 200 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in infants, and 400 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in Korean children and adolescents.