Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in children

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.

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.

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

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.

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.