文摘
Background In Europe, both the synthesis of vitamin聽D in the skin and its dietary intake are uncertain sources of vitamin聽D. Question An adequate vitamin聽D status is of particular importance during pregnancy and infancy. The state of vitamin聽D supply to these population groups is examined. Materials and methods Data from mathematical methods that estimate daily vitamin聽D intake from conventional foods and calculate the average skin synthesis of vitamin聽D are presented. Results are compared to recommended values. In addition, biochemical analyses of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin聽D levels are evaluated. Results Average dietary vitamin聽D intake is less than 100聽International Units (IU) per day and the average skin synthesis is less than 300聽IU per day. Even both vitamin聽D sources together are insufficient for reaching the recommended daily vitamin聽D intake of 800聽IU. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that more than one-third and up to two-thirds of pregnant women and young children have circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin聽D levels below the reference value of 50聽nmol/l. The only exceptions are infants who receive the obligatory rickets prophylaxis. Conclusion Pregnant women and young children are among the most vulnerable population groups in terms of vitamin聽D. The vitamin character of vitamin聽D, i.e., the need for oral intake, and particularly the intake of supplements will become increasingly important in the future in order to ensure adequate vitamin聽D supply in these vulnerable population groups.