Title |
Vitamin D in European children—statement from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP)
|
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Published in |
European Journal of Pediatrics, April 2017
|
DOI | 10.1007/s00431-017-2903-2 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Zachi Grossman, Adamos Hadjipanayis, Tom Stiris, Stefano del Torso, Jean-Christophe Mercier, Arunas Valiulis, Raanan Shamir |
Abstract |
Vitamin D is synthesized in human skin upon sun exposure and is also a nutrient. It regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism and is essential for the maintenance of bone health. Vitamin D supplementation during infancy, in order to prevent rickets, is universally accepted. Many human cell types carry vitamin D receptor, this being a drive for conducting studies on the possible association between vitamin D status and other diseases. Studies have affirmed that a considerable number of healthy European children may be vitamin D deficient, especially in high-risk groups (darker pigmented skin, living in areas with reduced sun exposure and other disorders). However, the definition of deficiency is unclear due to inter assay differences and due to a lack of consensus as to what is an "adequate" 25(OH)D level. Therefore, there is no justification for routine screening for vitamin D deficiency in healthy children. An evaluation of vitamin D status is justified in children belonging to high-risk groups. All infants up to 1 year of age should receive an oral supplementation of 400 IU/day of vitamin D. Beyond this age, seasonal variation of sunlight should be taken into account when considering a national policy of supplementation or fortification. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Spain | 3 | 17% |
Ecuador | 1 | 6% |
Canada | 1 | 6% |
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of | 1 | 6% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 6% |
Brazil | 1 | 6% |
United States | 1 | 6% |
Panama | 1 | 6% |
Unknown | 8 | 44% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 14 | 78% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 3 | 17% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 6% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 100 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 10 | 10% |
Student > Postgraduate | 10 | 10% |
Student > Master | 10 | 10% |
Researcher | 9 | 9% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 6% |
Other | 20 | 20% |
Unknown | 35 | 35% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 36 | 36% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 8 | 8% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 4 | 4% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 3 | 3% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 3% |
Other | 5 | 5% |
Unknown | 41 | 41% |