Vitamin D Guidance

Department of Health Guidance for Healthcare Professionals: www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/docu...

 

"A significant proportion of the UK population have low vitamin D levels, which has resulted in a rising number of

reported cases of rickets in children and osteomalacia in

adults. This is of particular concern for all pregnant

and breastfeeding women, young children, older

people, black and ethnic minority groups, and

those at risk of inadequate sunshine exposure.

Pregnant women especially need to ensure

their own requirement for vitamin D is met and

to build adequate fetal stores for early infancy.

Vitamin D deficiency impairs the absorption

of dietary calcium and phosphorus, which

can give rise to bone deformities in children,

and bone pain and tenderness as a result of

osteomalacia in adults.

 

It is essential that everyone, especially

those people most at risk, are aware of

the implications of vitamin D defi ciency

and most importantly what they can

do to prevent it. "

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