➤ Numerous studies demonstrate an association between serum concentrations
of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and a variety of common disorders including
musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, malignant, autoimmune, and
infectious diseases. This has led to widespread supplementation with vitamin
D supplementation and increased laboratory testing for 25(OH)D in the general
population.
➤ The benefit-risk ratio of this increase in vitamin D supplementation is not clear,
and the optimal vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D concentrations for disease
prevention remain uncertain.
➤ This guideline offers clinical guidelines for the use of vitamin D (cholecalciferol
[vitamin D3] or ergocalciferol [vitamin D2]) to lower the risk of disease in
individuals without established indications for vitamin D treatment or 25(OH)
D testing.
Treatment
Children Ages 1–18 Years
Recommendation 1
➤ In children and adolescents ages 1–18 years, we suggest empiric vitamin D
supplementation to prevent nutritional rickets and potentially lower the risk of
respiratory tract infections. (2|
⊕⊕
)
Technical remarks:
• Empiric vitamin D may include daily intake of fortified foods, vitamin formulations that
contain vitamin D and/or daily intake of a vitamin D supplement (pill or drops).
• In the clinical trials included in the systematic review (SR), with respect to respiratory tract
infections in children, vitamin D doses ranged from 300 to 2000 IU (7.5 to 50 µg ) daily
equivalent. The estimated weighted average was approximately 1200 IU (30 μg ) per day.
Key Points
