Update on vitamin D during childhood

Abstract

We propose to review several recent key clinically oriented topics related to vitamin D and health in children. We found a very large number of recent clinical studies related to vitamin D. However, most are association studies with few physiological or clinical trials that are adequately powered for clinical outcomes. Key results are available related to pulmonary disease and allergic disorders. Recent studies have also evaluated the relationship of vitamin D to bone health as well as new insights into genetic conditions related to vitamin D metabolism. Recent studies generally support the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine related to vitamin D intake but there is new and increasing evidence that some health conditions, such as pulmonary diseases in children, might benefit from close monitoring of vitamin D status. However, controlled trials are mostly lacking and there is an inadequate basis from recent studies to recommend high dose vitamin D pending the results of controlled trials.