Vitamin D deficiency in at-risk groups

There has been a lot of public health interest in vitamin D since the documented resurgence of rickets in children, the identification of widespread vitamin D deficiency and the growing understanding of the role vitamin D plays in the immune system. Some people are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency than others, including babies and individuals of Asian and Black origin. This article looks at two particular aspects of vitamin D deficiency risk: skin colour and the relationship with regards to vitamin D status between the mother and infant at birth and through breastfeeding. The aim of this article is to enable the practitioner to confidently identify mothers and babies at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.