VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Course overview

VITAMIN D IS A FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMIN USED BY THE BODY FOR NORMAL BONE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE BY INCREASING THE ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND PHOSPHATE. A CIRCULATING LEVEL OF 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D GREATER THAN 30 NG/ML IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LEVEL OF VITAMIN D. VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY CAN LEAD TO AN ARRAY OF PROBLEMS, MOST NOTABLY RICKETS IN CHILDREN AND OSTEOPOROSIS IN ADULTS. THE FORTIFICATION OF MILK WITH VITAMIN D IN THE 1930S WAS EFFECTIVE IN ERADICATING RICKETS IN THE WORLD. HOWEVER, VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IS NOW MORE PREVALENT THAN EVER AND SHOULD BE SCREENED IN HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS. MANY CONFLICTING STUDIES ARE NOW SHOWING AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND CANCER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES, AND DEPRESSION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND EXPLAINS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.