Vitamin D Screening Recommended in At-Risk Populations

The Endocrine Society released a new clinical practice guideline focusing on preventing and treating vitamin D deficiency in at-risk patient populations.

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent throughout the world and results in abnormalities of calcium, phosphorus and bone metabolism which can lead to muscle weakness, osteomalacia, osteopenia and osteoporosis. In children, vitamin D deficiency can result in skeletal deformities known as rickets.

The new guideline, which is published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, recommendations the following:

• Screening for vitamin D deficiency in individuals at risk for deficiency;
• Measurement of vitamin D level by a reliable assay as the initial diagnostic test in patients at risk for deficiency; and
• Treatment with either vitaminD2 or vitamin D3 for deficient patients.

“Vitamin D deficiency is very common in all age groups and it is important that physicians and health care providers have the best evidence-based recommendations for evaluating, treating and preventing vitamin D deficiency in patients at highest risk,” said Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, of the Boston University School of Medicine and chair of the task force that authored the guideline, in a statement. “The Society’s new Clinical Practice Guideline was developed by experts in the field who carefully reviewed the current literature and features the latest and most comprehensive recommendations available on the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.”

The guideline also includes the following recommendations for dietary intake of vitamin D in patients at risk for vitamin D deficiency:

• Infants and children aged 1 year and younger require at least 400 IU/day of vitamin D and children aged 1 year and older require at least 600 IU/day to maximize bone health. To raise the blood level of vitamin D consistently above 30 ng/ml may require at least 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D;
• Adults aged 19-50 years require at least 600 IU/day of vitamin D to maximize bone health and muscle function and at least 1,500-2,000 IU/day of vitamin D may be needed to maintain blood level of vitamin D above 30 ng/ml;
• Adults aged 50-70 years and adults older than 70 years require at least 600 IU/day and 800 IU/day respectively of vitamin D. At least 1,500-2,000 IU/day of vitamin D may be needed to maintain blood level of vitamin D above 30 ng/ml; and
• Pregnant and lactating women require at least 600 IU/day of vitamin D and at least 1,500 IU/day of vitamin D may be needed to maintain blood level of vitamin D above 30 ng/ml.

“At the present time, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend screening individuals who are not at risk for deficiency or to prescribe vitamin D to attain the non-calcemic benefit for cardiovascular protection,” said Holick.

For more:

• Vitamin D Intake Can Lower Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Children with IBD Are at High Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency
• Patients and Vitamins: Core Counseling Issues