Tuesday October 14, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study published in the June 2008 issue of Pediatrics found that insufficiency of vitamin D was common in pediatric patients with primary and secondary osteopenia or osteoporosis.

The study was meant to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with osteopenia or osteoporosis to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone parameters such as bone mineral density.

For the study, Bowden SA and colleagues at the Columbus Children's Hospital measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and other bone markers in blood samples from 85 patients and also their bone density.

The children suffered either primary osteoporosis (caused by osteogenesis imperfecta or juvenile idiopathic osteoporosis) or secondary osteopenia or osteoporosis caused by various underlying chronic illnesses.

The researchers found that 80 percent of the children had vitamin D at levels below 30 mg/mL and 3.5 percent of them had the vitamin below 10 mg/mL.  In comparison, 21 percent had vitamin D below 20 mg/mL.

There was a significant inverse association between vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels.   Also there was a positive association between 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and urine markers for bone turnover.

The authors said that vitamin D insufficiency was common in pediatric patients with primary and secondary osteopenia or osteoporosis and this vitamin may contribute to low bone mass or worsen the primary bone disease.

Vitamin D is known to play a significant role in maintaining bone health.  

But an estimated 12 percent of children in the US are deficient of this vitamin and another 28 percent at a high risk for the deficiency, according to a study led by Dr. Catherine Gordon, Children's Hospital in Boston and published in the June 2008 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Monday updated its recommendation to raise the intake of vitamin D for children from 200 IUs per day to 400 IUs per day because there is growing evidence suggesting that 200 IUs daily is way too low and it could put children at risk of a wide range of diseases.

But those who want to enhance the protective effect of this sunshine vitamin may take a 1,200 IUS per day, which is safe according to a recent study.

Vitamin D can be found in a small number of foods mostly in oily fish such as salmon and fortified foods such as milk and orange juice.    Vitamin D supplements are also a major source of this vitamin. But the best source is sunshine.