What are the risk factors for rickets in young children? What are the recommendations for vitamin D intake for this population?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be consumed or created by the body given enough sun exposure. However, due to concerns about excessive sun exposure, it has been necessary to stress the importance of increasing dietary vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D can lead to brittle bones and rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Steps to ensure appropriate vitamin D supplementation should be provided in situations where there is a risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as lack of dietary vitamin D, restricted sunlight exposure, or dark skin. The California Department of Health Services endorses the AAP guidelines on vitamin D supplementation. (Gartner, L., et. al. “Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency: New Guidelines for Vitamin D Intake” Pediatrics, April 2003, Vol. 111(4)). For more information, see the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendation for Vitamin D (October 2008) (PDF)and letter entitled VITAMIN D AND RICKETS (PDF)and Background (PDF)and FAQs (PDF)attachment
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be consumed or created by the body given enough sun exposure. However, due to concerns about excessive sun exposure, it has been necessary to stress the importance of increasing dietary vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D can lead to brittle bones and rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Steps to ensure appropriate vitamin D supplementation should be provided in situations where there is a risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as lack of dietary vitamin D, restricted sunlight exposure, or dark skin. The California Department of Health Services endorses the AAP guidelines on vitamin D supplementation. For more information, see the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendation for Vitamin D (October 2008) (PDF).
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