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With all the news on vitamin D these days, I thought I'd ask if it's something we should pay attention to in our children?
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Vitamin D has been in the news a lot lately. Are we getting enough? Should we take supplements? What about people who can't get enough sunshine to make vitamin D needed for bone health? And what about children? What are "normal" levels of vitamin D for them? These and many other questions are being answered and studied around the world.
Vitamin D helps regulate calcium absorption from the gut (gastrointestinal tract). The skin makes vitamin D but relies on sun exposure to do so. Calcium is an essential ingredient in strong bones.
It's clear that there are some risk factors for low vitamin D. For example with so much time spent indoors and lower sunlight levels year round in the northern hemispheres, many children around the world have reduced levels of vitamin D.
Other risk factors for decreased vitamin D include obesity, increased skin pigmentation (dark skin), older age, and not enough vitamin D in the diet. Children with metabolic bone disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta (weak and brittle bones) and rickets are at a much greater risk for poor bone healing, which can be compounded by low vitamin D levels.
Normal levels of vitamin D for children have not been clearly established. There are some general guidelines but scientists aren't sure whether the same range should be used for all children (all ages, all geographical locations, all ethnicities). For now, vitamin D status is measured based on blood levels of a chemical compound needed to produce the active form of vitamin D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25 OHD.
Next time you take your child or children in to see the pediatrician or your primary care physician, be sure and ask him or her this question. There may be some concerns based on risk factors to take a baseline measurement of the children's vitamin D levels. Otherwise, general counsel is usually to get some sunshine everyday when possible, use sun protection for excessive sun exposure, take a multivitamin, and eat a balanced diet.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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