Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in children.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency affects from 10% to 50% in various pediatric population groups and causes life-threatening hypocalcemia in infants, crippling rickets in infants and children, and increased risk of subsequent adult metabolic and neurologic problems.

Areas covered: An English language literature search of PubMed was performed since 1940 as were the authors' personal literature collections. References identified in the reviewed literature are considered.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Clinical features of rickets include bone deformities and elevated alkaline phosphatase. Most children and adolescents who are biochemically vitamin D deficient do not have specific symptoms or signs of deficiency.

Prevention: Prevention of vitamin D deficiency is via exposure to sunshine, food and beverage fortification, and dietary supplementation.

Treatment: Effective treatment of vitamin D deficiency is via oral or injectable administration of vitamin D. Dosing and duration of vitamin D therapy have been described for healthy children and for children with underlying medical conditions, but recommendations vary.

Expert opinion: Further investigation is needed to determine long-term non-skeletal effects of childhood vitamin D deficiency, benefits of supplementation in asymptomatic individuals with biochemical vitamin D deficiency, and appropriate screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic children and adolescents.