Vitamin D Deficiency

What is vitamin D deficiency?

A vitamin D deficiency is a condition where a person has low levels of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is an important nutrient for health. It helps the body absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become soft and weak.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Low levels of vitamin D can cause:

Bone pain
Muscle weakness
Joint problems
Weak or thin bones (osteoporosis)
Bone fractures

In children and teens, low vitamin D levels can cause bones to grow poorly, leading to shorter height than expected.

Causes of vitamin D deficiency

Factors that increase your child’s risk for having low vitamin D include:

Medical conditions such as sickle cell disease
Being overweight or obese
Darker skin pigment
Staying out of the sun or using sunscreen
Kidney or liver disease
Not being able to absorb vitamin D through the digestive system because of inflammatory diseases, surgery, or radiation therapy
Certain medicines, such as steroids, laxatives, HIV treatments, and those used to treat seizures and fungal infections

Vitamin D Deficiency and Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease, can put your child at higher risk for low vitamin D levels. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in patients with sickle cell disease may help reduce pain and protect bone health.

Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency

Your child’s care team will do a blood test to test vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D levels	What they mean
Less than 20 ng/mL	Very low level or deficient
20-31 ng/mL	Low level or insufficient
32-100 ng/mL	Optimal or good level for health
Greater than 100 ng/mL	Possible toxicity

Treatment of vitamin D deficiency

If your child has low levels of vitamin D, your health care provider may prescribe a vitamin D supplement. Be sure your child takes the medicine exactly as prescribed.

Too much vitamin D can be harmful. Always check with your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements.

How to prevent vitamin D deficiency

Illustration of nutrition facts showing calories, serving information, percent daily value, and nutrients — Check the Nutrition Facts label for nutrient information including Vitamin D.

Get enough vitamin D through the diet

Be sure your child eats a healthy diet including foods higher in vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in certain foods such as:

Milk
Fatty fish such as tuna and salmon
Fortified Orange juice
Fortified Cereal
Yogurt
Egg yolks
Mushrooms
Cheese products

Check food labels. Look for labels that say, “vitamin D fortified.” On the nutrition facts label, check the amount of vitamin D. Babies need 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Children and teens need 600 IU of vitamin D each day. Learn how to read food labels.

Get sunlight during the day

Vitamin D is also made by the body through sun exposure. But too much sun exposure can increase your child’s risk for skin cancer. It is important to protect skin from the sun by using sunscreen and to limit time spent outdoors.

Vitamin D is important for your child’s health. Talk to your care team to understand your child’s risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Key points about vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is a nutrient important for health.
Not having enough vitamin D can cause pain, muscle weakness, and bone problems.
Children and teens with sickle cell disease are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.
A blood test can detect vitamin D deficiency.
Your child’s care team may prescribe a supplement if your child has low vitamin D.

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Reviewed: September 2024

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