VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN – EPIDEMIOLOGY, HEALTH CONSEQUENCES AND PREVENTION. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Anna Lubomska; Jakub Idziński; Iga Kuba; Maria Bieske; Jakub Sapikowski; Agata  Juchniewicz; Martyna Grześkowiak; Julita Jagodzińska; Igor Jętasiewicz; Mikołaj Góralczyk

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5710

Authors

Anna Lubomska Independent Public Multispecialist Healthcare Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Bydgoszcz, Ks. Ryszarda Markwarta 4-6 street, 85-015 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7820-7669
Jakub Idziński Independent Public Multispecialist Healthcare Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Bydgoszcz, Ks. Ryszarda Markwarta 4-6 street, 85-015 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1058-9615
Iga Kuba Pabianice Medical Centre, Jana Pawła II street, 95-200 Pabianice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5834-9075
Maria Bieske Dr Rafał Masztak Grochowski Hospital, Grenadierów 51/59 street, 04-073 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6704-8742
Jakub Sapikowski 7th Naval Hospital in Gdańsk, Polanki 117 street, 80-305 Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7253-514X
Agata Juchniewicz 7th Naval Hospital in Gdańsk, Polanki 117 street, 80-305 Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4014-3413
Martyna Grześkowiak Florian Ceynowa Specialist Hospital in Wejherowo, Dr A. Jagalskiego 10 street, 84-200 Wejherowo, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8434-4870
Julita Jagodzińska Maria Skłodowska-Curie Provincial Specialist Hospital in Zgierz, Parzęczewska 35 street, 95-100 Zgierz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9403-9850
Igor Jętasiewicz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Jagiellońska 13-15 street, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3351-6392
Mikołaj Góralczyk The Baptism of Poland Memorial Hospital in Gniezno, Św. Jana 9 street, 62-200, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2733-1428

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5710

Keywords:

Vitamin D, Children, Deficiency, Supplementation, Paediatrics, 25(OH)D

Abstract

For many years, a succession of scientific studies and publications have confirmed the significant impact vitamin D has on the functioning of the human body. It is responsible for a range of biological processes, acting as a multifunctional hormone or prohormone; it regulates the immune system, influences hormonal balance, calcium and phosphate metabolism, and even mental functioning.

In the case of the paediatric population, on which we focus our review, proper physical development and growth are of paramount importance. It is widely recognised that the aforementioned processes are essential for this.

Our review is based on numerous publications addressing the issue of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on child development. We describe the general problem, current statistics, the mechanism of synthesis and absorption of the active form of vitamin D, and the impact of deficiency on specific aspects of bodily function. The paper also includes current guidelines on vitamin D supplementation for the Polish population.

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