Vitamin D and people with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is essential for the normal functioning of a diverse range of metabolic processes, especially bone health. It is widely appreciated that the elderly are at increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency, but it is less well known that people with intellectual disability are also at increased risk.


OBJECTIVE
This article summarises the issues regarding vitamin D in people with intellectual disability, making recommendations about screening, management and follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of intellectual disability in the Australian population has been estimated at just over 1%, implying that most general practitioners will care for several people with intellectual disability. Relatively simple steps are likely to have a significant impact on the health of this vulnerable group of people.
Vanlint
Simon
S
Discipline of General Practice, University of Adelaide, South Australia. vanlint@adelaide.edu.au
Nugent
Michael
M
Durvasula
Seeta
S
D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy