Vitamin D Deficiency: Is The Pandemic for Real?

Direct and indirect reference intervals of 25-hydroxyvitamin D: it is not a real vitamin D deficiency pandemic

Introduction

Many studies report vitamin D (25-OH-D) deficiency, although there is no consensus among scientific societies on cut-offs and reference intervals (RI). The aim of this study is to establish and compare RI for serum 25-OH-D by direct and indirect methods.

Materials and methods

Two studies were performed in Zaragoza (Spain). A retrospective study (N = 7222) between January 2017 and April 2019 was used for RI calculation by indirect method and a prospective study (N = 312) with healthy volunteers recruited in August 2019 and February 2020 for direct method. Seasonal differences were investigated. Measurements were performed on Cobas C8000 (Roche-Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay technology.

Results

Reference intervals (2.5-97.5 percentile and corresponding 95% confidence intervals, CIs) were as follows: by indirect method 5.6 ng/mL (5.4 to 5.8) - 57.2 ng/mL (55.2 to 59.8), in winter 5.4 ng/mL (5.2 to 5.7) - 55.7 ng/mL (53.6 to 58.4), while in summer 5.9 ng/mL (5.4 to 6.2) - 59.9 ng/mL (56.3 to 62.9). By direct method 9.0 ng/mL (5.7 to 9.5) - 41.4 ng/mL (37.6 to 48.0), in winter 7.4 ng/mL (3.9 to 8.6) - 34.6 ng/mL (30.6 to 51.5), while in summer 13.3 ng/mL (10.1 to 14.1) - 44.1 ng/mL (38.9 to 66.0). In both methods, RIs were higher in summer. A significant difference was observed in 25-OH-D median values between the two methods (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Reference interval calculation according to the studied area may be a useful tool to adapt the deficiency cut-offs for 25-OH-D. Our data support 25-OH-D values over 12.0 ng/mL for healthy population as sufficient, therefore current recommendations should be updated. In addition, differences in seasonality should be taken into account.

Is Sunshine Vitamin Related to Adolescent Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study of Vitamin D Status and Depression Among Rural Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is the phase of rapid transition of the body. The requirement of all minerals and vitamins changes in this phase of life so does Vitamin D. Despite Vitamin D being abundantly available, its deficiency, which can cause innumerable side effects on the body, is extremely common among the general population.  Material and methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2021 to July 2022 for two years at various government rural high schools in Kolar, Karnataka, India. All adolescents who were aged 11-18 years and studying in 9^th and 10^th standards were included in the study after consent and assent. Adolescent boys and girls with any pre-existing mental health illness were excluded from the study. To assess depression, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used. Vitamin D3 levels were assessed by using VITROS Immunodiagnostic products using a 25-OH Total reagent pack. All data were entered in a Microsoft Excel sheet (Redmond, USA) and analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. To check for the association between factors, Chi-square was applied with a level of significance defined as a p-value less than 0.05.

RESULTS

Out of 451 students, 272 (60.3%) belonged to the 15-year age group, 224 (49.7%) were boys, 235 (52.1%) were studying in 10^th standard, 323 (71.6 %) belonged to nuclear families, 379 (84%) were non-vegetarian by diet, 222 (49.2%) had sun exposure in the afternoon, and 156 (34.6%) had a sun exposure of fewer than 60 minutes, 133 (29.5%) had severe depression according to Beck's Depression Inventory-II. One hundred sixty-two (35.9%) had insufficient Vitamin D3 levels (12-20 ng/ml), and 66 (14.6%) had deficient levels of Vitamin D3 (less than 12 ng/dl). There was a statistically significant association between depression and Vitamin D3 levels.

CONCLUSION

There are innumerable causes of adolescent depression. The present study shows Vitamin D levels were statistically associated with depression among adolescents. Vitamin D supplementation of at least 600 international units, which is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), could be beneficial in tackling Vitamin D to sufficiency status (20-100 ng/ml) and also indirectly address Adolescent Depression. Better study designs, like randomized control trials showing Vitamin D intervention and its possible curative role in adolescent depression, are required to establish the causal association.

Changes in Bone Turnover Markers after Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures in Males and Females

Background. To explore the normal changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the correlations between the different BTMs after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Meanwhile, we explored the related differences that exist between sexes. Methods. A total of 130 OVCF patients were retrospectively reviewed. Using IBM SPSS 19.0 statistical software, the differences in the levels of BTMs and clinical parameters between sexes were assessed using Student’s unpaired $t$ test, and one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of the three groups of samples. The correlations between P1NP, CTX, and clinical factors were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. P1NP was 52.15 ng/ml within two weeks in male patients, and the level increased to 96.33 ng/ml after 12 weeks; in female patients, the increase was not as obvious as in male patients. CTX in male patients reached as much as approximately twice the initial value after 12 weeks. However, the situation in female patients was diverse. CTX was 0.58 ng/ml within two weeks and increased to 0.61 ng/ml within 2-12 weeks after the onset of OVCF. Subsequently, CTX decreased suddenly after 12 weeks. The increase in P1NP levels within 2 weeks after OVCF was significantly correlated with the levels of osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Changes in CTX within 2 weeks after OVCF were considerably related to phosphorus, 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), OC, and BAP. Conclusion. The levels of P1NP and CTX increased differently in males and females after OVCF. The levels of OC and BAP were correlated with the levels of P1NP and CTX within 2 weeks of OVCF.

Association of vitamin D levels and polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of death. The prevalence of T2DM in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Jordan, is among the highest worldwide. The reason(s) behind the epidemic nature of T2DM in Jordan are unknown but warrant further exploration. Studies have indicated that T2DM could be influenced by diet and/or genetic background. Evidence suggests that numerous patients with T2DM are deficient in vitamin D. The activity of vitamin D on its target tissues may be influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. It was therefore hypothesized that SNPs in VDR could modify the risk of T2DM. To test this hypothesis, 125 patients with T2DM were recruited along with 125 controls. The study subjects were genotyped for variations in rs2228570, rs1544410, rs7975232, and rs731236 SNPs in the VDR. The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured from the serum. The analysis revealed that reduced 25(OH)D and age were associated with the risk of T2DM (P<0.05). Moreover, under a dominant inheritance model, the GG genotype of rs2228570 was revealed to increase the risk of T2DM in univariate and multivariate analysis (P<0.05). Additionally, a chromosomal block containing the GAAG haplotype of VDR SNPs increased the risk of T2DM (OR=1.909; CI: 1.260-2.891; P=0.0021). Collectively, the present study revealed that low levels of serum 25(OH)D and rs2228570 of the VDR gene are associated with the risk of T2DM.

Vitamin D deficiency in elderly: Risk factors and drugs impact on vitamin D status

Introduction:

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide. In spite of its high prevalence, particularly among elderly people, VD deficiency is still underestimated by many physicians. Increasingly, VD deficiency is associated with several known geriatric syndromes.

Methods:

The study sample consisted of 125 patients, aged 75 years and older, admitted to the acute geriatric unit. The plausible association between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and patient age, sex, body mass index, renal function, cholecystectomy history, and the prescribed drugs had been investigated. The Fisher's exact test was used to conduct the statistical analysis of data.

Results:

Surprisingly, furosemide treatment was correlated with normal 25(OH)D levels and an increased incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Unlike the other four parameters mentioned above, our data showed that only the patient sex exhibited a significant association with 25(OH)D level as elderly males suffered from a serious VD deficiency as compared to elderly females.

Conclusion:

Old age is an independent risk factor for VD deficiency. The supplementary dose of VD should be precisely defined to achieve the optimal serum 25(OH)D level in elderly people. The definition of the normal serum 25(OH)D threshold in elderly furosemide-treated patients is worth of further studies.

The efficacy of vitamin D combined with clomiphene citrate in ovulation induction in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double blind, randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on ovulation rate in overweight subfertile women with PCOS undergoing ovulation induction.

METHODS

This was a single center, parallel-groups, double-blind, and placebo-controlled randomized trial involving 186 eligible women undergoing induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate (Clomid®, Aventis) 50 mg tablet twice daily starting from the third day of menstrual cycle and for 5 days combined with either oral Vitamin D (ossofortin®, EVA PHARMA) 10,000 IU twice weekly and calcium (calciprex®, Marcyrl Pharmaceutical Industries) 1250 mg twice daily or to receive a placebo with calcium for three successive induction cycles. The vitamin D or placebo supplementation started 1 month before induction cycles (total four cycles). Cycles were monitored with ultrasound follicle tracking and mid-luteal serum progesterone measurement. The primary outcome was the ovulation rate after three induction cycles.

RESULTS

The study was performed during the period between January 2018 and September 2018, Eighty six (92.5%) women in the treatment group and 73 (78.5%) in the control group had successful ovulation (p = 0.007). The absolute and relative risk reduction was 14% and 65% respectively. Biochemical and clinical pregnancy occurred in 61.3 and 50.5% in the treatment group, and in 49.5 and 39.8% in the control group (p = 0.105 and 0.141 respectively).

CONCLUSION

In subfertile women with PCOS undergoing induction of ovulation, vitamin D supplementation significantly improved the ovulation rate; however, there was no effect on clinical or biochemical pregnancy.

The routine chemiluminescence assay for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D analysis does not overestimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a global public health problem. Inaccurate methods for measuring plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) may have contributed to the reported high prevalence of VDD. We hypothesized that the most commonly used assay for vitamin D status, chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), underestimates 25(OH)D levels and thus overestimates VDD. Using both liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and CLIA for plasma 25(OH)D, we evaluated the prevalence of VDD in adolescents (11-16 years-old; n = 410) by both methods in a cross-sectional study. Subjects were selected from public middle schools from all the 6 Governorates of Kuwait using stratified multistage cluster random sampling. Cohen κ agreement, linear regression, and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the classification of VDD by the 2 methods. VDD (25[OH]D < 50 nmol/L) was 85.9% with CLIA and 81.2% with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. There was a good agreement between the 2 methods in classifying the study subjects as deficient, insufficient, or sufficient (κ = 85.1%, P < .001). The between-assay bias was very small with a mean percentage difference < 1% from the mean value of the 25(OH)D as assessed by the 2 methods. These data did not support our hypothesis, and we conclude that the routine methods used for plasma 25(OH)D levels have no or little impact on evaluating VDD as a public health problem or in clinical management.

Frekuensi Asupan Makanan, Pengetahuan Vitamin D dan Obesitas Pada Kelompok Usia Lanjut

Background: Most elderly age groups in Indonesia experience vitamin D deficiency. Increasing age and decreasing food intake of vitamin D will trigger an increase in metabolic diseases. One of the most common effects of metabolic diseases is obesity. Unhealthy diet can reduce consumption of foods that contain sources of vitamin D. The suitability of diet in preventing vitamin D deficiency is influenced by the level of knowledge about the type of food, benefits and needs about vitamin D. Objectives: To analyze the relationship of vitamin D diet in older people with obesity to the level of knowledge of vitamin D.Methods: This was analytic observational study with case control design. Data collection technique was using purposive sampling. The sample in this research were geriatric with obesity and non-obesity. Subjects in each group were 88 elderly people according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Instruments in this research were Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and questionnaire knowledge of vitamin D amounted to 11 questions that have been done validity (r> 0.361) and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha> 0.6). Chi Square test was used to compare age factor with food intake and vitamin D knowledge. Results: There was significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the pattern of vitamin D intake in old age (r = 0.293; p = 0.000). However there was no difference between intake patterns and level of knowledge on vitamin D in elderly obese and non-obese (p> 0.05).Conclusion: increased in vitamin D knowledge can improve food intake patterns in geriatric.ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Kelompok usia lanjut di indonesia sebagian besar mengalami defisiensi vitamin D. Pertambahan usia dan penurunan asupan makanan vitamin D akan memicu peningkatan penyakit metabolik. Salah satu dampak penyakit metabolik yang paling sering terjadi adalah obesitas. Pola makan yang tidak sesuai dapat menurunkan konsumsi makanan yang mengandung sumber vitamin D. Kesesuaian pola makan dalam mencegah defisiensi vitamin D salah satunya dipengaruhi oleh tingkat pengetahuan mengenai jenis makanan, manfaat dan kebutuhan tubuh akan vitamin D.Tujuan: Melihat hubungan pola makan dan pengetahuan vitamin D pada usia lanjut dengan obesitas.Metode: Penelitian ini adalah observational dengan desain case control. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan purposive sampling. Sampel pada penelitian ini adalah masyarakat pada usia lanjut dengan obesitas dan non-obesitas. Subjek penelitian pada tiap kelompok berjumlah 88 orang yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Instrumen pada penelitian ini adalah Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) dan kuisioner pengetahun vitamin D berjumlah 11 soal yang telah dilakukan validitas (r>0,361) dan reliabilitas (Cronbach’s Alpha > 0,6). Uji Chi Square digunakan untuk melihat hubungan pola makan vitamin D dan tingkat pengetahuan pada usia lanjut dengan obesitas dan non-obesitas.Hasil: Adanya hubungan tingkat pengetahuan dan pola asupan vitamin D pada usia lanjut (r=0,293; p=0,000). Namun tidak terdapat perbedaan antara pola asupan dan tingkat  pengetahuan terhadap vitamin D pada lansia obesitas dan non obesitas (p>0,05).Kesimpulan: Peningkatan pengetahuan tentang vitamin D dapat memperbaiki pola asupan makanan pada usia lanjut.

Association between solar ultraviolet doses and vitamin D clinical routine data in European mid-latitude population between 2006 and 2018

The major source of vitamin D in humans is the ultraviolet radiation-dependent cutaneous synthesis of cholecalciferol; however, low vitamin D status is common in Europe even at mid-latitudes. The UV-radiation that reached the Earth's surface near Milan between May 2006 and December 2018 was retrieved from the TEMIS database and matched with the serum vitamin D levels measured in 30 400 people living in the same area. The results showed a high percentage of insufficient vitamin D levels (measured as 25-hydroxy-vitamin D) throughout the years. During the "vitamin D winter" (November-March) up to 60-90% of the population shows deficient/insufficient (<20-30 ng mL^-1) levels of vitamin D and it is explained by the difficulty in obtaining the recommended UV vitamin D doses. In contrast, the warm season provides plenty of UV-radiation, but still 30-50% of the population shows deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels. The circannual vitamin D variations were less evident in the female groups which, in the cold season, show values higher than the corresponding male groups. An age group analysis explained this difference by the strongly recommended vitamin D intake for post-menopausal women. In conclusion, increasing the medical advice for vitamin D intake is strongly recommended to improve the vitamin D status at European mid-latitudes. Our findings suggest that UV availability alone cannot explain the vitamin D status of the population which instead is likely to be influenced by several other factors related to both the people's lifestyle and their personal characteristics. A desirable vitamin D range considering the time of the year and sun exposure, but also including factors not related to UV-radiation, would probably result in a more accurate diagnosis of the patients' vitamin D status. Despite the relatively large time interval, no evident effects due to climate changes were observed in the vitamin D levels during the almost 13 years of analysis.

Plasma 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D is not Associated with Acne Vulgaris

Few studies have investigated the association between Acne vulgaris (AV) and vitamin D level. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level and AV in a country with plenty of sunshine. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 adolescents who were randomly selected from public schools using multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. 25-OH-VitD levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess the severity of AV. Data on potential confounders were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire, and from the adolescents using a face-to-face interview. Of 714 participants, 351 (41.16%) were males. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age was 12.28 (0.81) years. AV was observed in 479 (67.1%) adolescents. There was no significant association between 25-OH-VitD level and clinically assessed AV before or after adjusting for potential confounders. This was consistent whether 25-OH-VitD was fitted as a continuous variable or categorized using acceptable cutoff points or tertiles. In this study vitamin D status was not associated with AV, therefore our data do not support vitamin D supplementation either to treat or to prevent AV.

Vitamin D Levels: Do We Need to Assess Only in Disease?

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is conventionally known as sunshine vitamin and is synthesized endogenously in sunlight. Vitamin D is known to be a key regulator of bone metabolism, the function of genes, and essential for the development of the whole body. Deficiency of Vitamin D is now become a major worldwide epidemic health problem.

AIM

The present study was conducted with the objective of determining the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in urban population of a district in south Punjab, across various characteristics of population such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional population survey was conducted in the urban population of the district. A total of 120 healthy volunteers of either sex participated and their 25-hydroxy Vitamin D concentrations in serum samples were estimated using ELISA. The participants were divided into three categories as follows: Vitamin D deficient, insufficient, or sufficient, on the basis of normal standardized serum levels of Vitamin D <20, 20-30, and >30 ng/ml, respectively.

RESULTS

Of 120 healthy individuals, 95% of the study participants had VDD or insufficiency and only 5% had adequate Vitamin D levels. In each age group, females showed lower Vitamin D levels as compared to males. Furthermore, high body mass index value was associated with low Vitamin D. Upper-class individuals also showed low levels of Vitamin D as compared to other socioeconomic classes' individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, high prevalence of VDD among the apparently healthy urban population of the district was observed and gives an alarming sign about continuously increasing prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among healthy population.

Plasma 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Is Not Associated with Either Cognitive Function or Academic Performance in Adolescents

Several observational studies have reported an association between low levels of vitamin D (VD) and poor cognition in adults, but there is a paucity of data on such an association in adolescents. We investigated the association between VD and cognitive function or academic achievement among 1370 adolescents, who were selected from public middle schools in Kuwait, using stratified multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. Plasma 25-hydroxy VD (25-OH-D) was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An age-adjusted standard score (ASC), calculated from Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices test, was used to evaluate cognitive function; academic achievements were extracted from the schools’ records. Data on various covariates were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire and from the adolescents using face-to-face interviews. 25-OH-D was weakly correlated positively with ASC (ρ = 0.06; p = 0.04). Univariable linear regression analysis showed an association between 25-OH-D categories and ASC after adjusting for gender, but adjusting for parental education was sufficient to explain this association. Multivariable analysis showed no association between 25-OH-D and ASC after adjusting for potential confounders whether 25-OH-D was fitted as a continuous variable (p = 0.73), a variable that is categorized by acceptable cutoff points (p = 0.48), or categorized into quartiles (p = 0.88). Similarly, 25-OH-D was not associated with academic performance. We conclude that 25-OH-D is associated with neither cognitive function nor academic performance in adolescents.

Vitamin D Deficiency in a Portuguese Cohort of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prevalence and Relation to Disease Activity

Background and Aims

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients than in the general population. However, there are conflicting data about predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency and its potential association with disease activity. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency and to evaluate a possible association with disease activity.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted, including patients with IBD from January to July 2016. The Endocrine Society guidelines were considered for defining levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) as follows: deficient (< 20 ng/mL, < 10 ng/mL being severe deficiency), insufficient (21-29 ng/mL), and adequate (> 30 ng/mL).

Results

A total of 152 patients (52% men; 47.2 ± 17.3 years) were included, of whom 70% had Crohn's disease (CD). Thirty-seven percent of patients were on immunosuppressors and 17% were on biologics. The majority were outpatients (88.2%). Mean 25-OH-D levels were 17.1 ± 8 ng/mL (CD: 16.7 ± 8 ng/mL vs. ulcerative colitis: 17.6 ± 7 ng/mL, p = 0.1). Inadequate levels were present in 90.8% of patients (deficiency: 68.4%; insufficiency: 22.4%). A significant negative correlation between 25-OH-D levels and age (r = -0.2, p = 0.04), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (r = -0.22, p = 0.004), and Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBi) (r = -0.32, p = 0.001) was found. Patients with severe deficiency showed a higher CRP (0.6 vs. 1.4 mg/dL, p = 0.03), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (22 vs. 31 mm/h, p = 0.03), and HBi (2 vs. 5, p < 0.001) and lower hemoglobin (13.6 vs. 12.7 g/dL, p = 0.02). There was no association between vitamin D deficiency and gender, type, extent, and duration of disease, surgery, and other measures of disease activity, such as ESR, hemoglobin (these 2 items except for severe deficiency), fecal calprotectin, or Truelove and Witts classification.

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of inadequate levels of vitamin D in IBD patients, particularly deficiency (68.4%). There seems to exist an association between lower levels of vitamin D and higher disease activity, especially in CD.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Women and Their Infants

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D deficiency is a serious health problem despite a general improvement in socio-economic status in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal vitamin D status and its effect on neonatal vitamin D concentrations after a support programme for pregnant women was introduced. A second aim was to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in a district of İstanbul.

METHODS

A total of 97 pregnant women and 90 infants were included in this study, conducted between January and October 2016. The demographic data, risk factors and daily vitamin intake were recorded. Serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in all subjects were measured. The mothers and newborns were divided into groups based on their vitamin D levels. The relationship between vitamin D levels and risk factors was analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean ± standard deviation vitamin D levels for the women and their infants were found to be 14.82±11.45 and 13.16±7.16 ng/mL, respectively. The number of mothers and infants was significantly higher in the deficient group, and their mean vitamin D levels significantly lower (9.02±1.34 and 8.80±1.06 ng/mL, respectively) (p<0.001, p<0.001). Only 14.4% of pregnant women took 1000-1200 IU/day of vitamin D. When the mother groups were evaluated in terms of risk factors, there were significant differences in daily vitamin intake and clothing style (p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their infants is still a serious health problem in Turkey, although a vitamin D support programme during pregnancy has been launched by the department of health.

The importance of vitamin D in maternal and child health: a global perspective

Vitamin D and calcium are important nutrients for skeletal growth and bone health. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency (VDD). VDD, with or without dietary calcium deficiency, can lead to nutritional rickets (NR), osteomalacia, and disturbances in calcium homeostasis. Multiple studies have linked VDD to adverse health outcomes in both children and pregnant women that extend beyond bone health. VDD remains an important global public health concern, and an important differentiation must be made between the impact of VDD on children and adults. Reports of increased incidence of NR continue to emerge. NR is an entirely preventable condition, which could be eradicated in infants and children worldwide with adequate vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The desire and necessity to put in place systems for preventing this potentially devastating pediatric disease should not elicit dispute. VDD and NR are global public health issues that require a collaborative, multi-level approach for the implementation of feasible preventative strategies. This review highlights the history, risk factors, and controversies related to VDD during pregnancy and childhood with a particular focus on global NR prevention.

The etiology and significance of fractures in infants and young children: a critical multidisciplinary review

This paper addresses significant misconceptions regarding the etiology of fractures in infants and young children in cases of suspected child abuse. This consensus statement, supported by the Child Abuse Committee and endorsed by the Board of Directors of the Society for Pediatric Radiology, synthesizes the relevant scientific data distinguishing clinical, radiologic and laboratory findings of metabolic disease from findings in abusive injury. This paper discusses medically established epidemiology and etiologies of childhood fractures in infants and young children. The authors also review the body of evidence on the role of vitamin D in bone health and the relationship between vitamin D and fractures. Finally, the authors discuss how courts should properly assess, use, and limit medical evidence and medical opinion testimony in criminal and civil child abuse cases to accomplish optimal care and protection of the children in these cases.