Vitamin D, bone health, and other health benefits in pediatric patients

Some of the clinically significant causes of vitamin D deficiency in children are secondary to inadequate dietary intake, limited sun exposure, disease states causing malabsorption (celiac disease, gastric and small bowel resection, pancreatic insufficiency from cystic fibrosis) and altered metabolism secondary to medications. In utero and during childhood vitamin D deficiency can have a myriad of health consequences extending beyond musculoskeletal health to acute and chronic disease. In this review, it discusses the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, clinical spectrum of disease presentations in children with emphasis in children with disabilities, vitamin D's role in bone and nonskeletal heath as well as recommendations for prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.