Vitamin D deficiency

Background

• AKA: Hypovitaminosis D
• Vitamin D
  • Lipid soluble
  • Acts as a hormone to:
    • Stimulate intestinal calcium absorption
    • Maintain adequate phosphate levels for bone development
    • Regulate cell growth proliferation and apoptosis
    • Modulate the immune system
• Deficiency leads to impaired bone mineralization and disease such as:
  • Rickets in children
  • Osteomalacia and Osteoporosis in adults

Etiology

• Inadequate intake
  • Dietary sources such as fortified foods and supplements are the mainstay of vitamin D intake
  • Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, fish liver oil, and some mushrooms
• Inadequate sunlight exposure
  • Synthesis of vitamin D occurs in the skin through exposure to ultraviolet B radiation from sunlight
  • Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency include darker skin pigmentation, prolong winter season, living at higher latitudes, skin coverage
• Disorders limiting vitamin D absorption
  • Crohn's disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
• Conditions preventing vitamin D conversion into active metabolites (i.e. Renal Failure)