Vitamin D in Clinic and Practice

Abstract

Vitamin D is unique among the vitamins, since its major source is skin synthesis by solar UVB exposure, whereas dietary intake plays only a minor role. In the general population, cutaneous vitamin D synthesis is clearly below the recommended amount. Dietary vitamin D does not fill this gap. Severe vitamin D deficiency results in rickets in infants and osteomalacia in adults. In the absence of endogenous vitamin D synthesis (e. g. during winter), oral supplements should ensure adequate daily vitamin D intake, where appropriate. This is particularly true for nursing home residents, non-European migrants and dark-skinned people.