Abstract

Silpa Siva Prasad, Anfi, Shaiju S. Dharan and Amal A.*

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for a range of diseases. However, the optimal strategies to achieve and maintain vitamin D adequacy (sun exposure, vitamin D supplementation or both) and whether sun exposure itself has benefits over and above initiating synthesis of vitamin D. It describes the interrelationship between sun exposure and vitamin D status, and the requirement of adequate vitamin D for bone health and for various other health conditions. Sunlight exposure is needed for cutaneous vitamin D production, but the efficiency of this production is complicated by many factors. Ensuring vitamin D adequacy while promoting sun-protection strategies, requires renewed attention to evaluating the adequacy of dietary and supplemental vitamin D". The vitamin D supplementation amounts necessary to support optimal health in older children and adolescents are less. Sunlight is important for vitamin D metabolism and, consequently, healthy bone development and growth. Children and adolescents should receive at least 400 IU of vitamin D daily, and children at risk for hypovitaminosis. D should be examined for serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Bone density tests, also known as osteodensitometry measure the level of minerals in the bones (BMD for bone mineral density measurement). Basically, in these scans x-rays are used which provide information on their permeability in the bones. The more porous and weak the bones, the more rays pass between them. The amount of rays that pass, compared to the standard mass of the healthy bone of an adult, is given through the T-score. A T score greater than -1 is considered normal and a score between -1 and -2.5 is considered low.