title: Vitamin D supplementation in the pediatric rheumatology clinic.
abstract: Vitamin D is capturing the attention of healthy and chronically ill populations for its potential skeletal and nonskeletal benefits. New information suggesting a role in immune modulation has led to a surge of interest among rheumatologists. Although the epidemiologic data are limited, it appears that many children with rheumatic conditions are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. However, understanding this phenomenon requires an appreciation for how vitamin D status is assessed, and options for supplementation. Although a "more-is-better" attitude is tempting when considering the medicinal effects of a nutritional supplement, we suggest a cautious approach and suggest that further studies are needed to clarify the potential benefits and risks among children with rheumatic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0107, 533 Parnassus Avenue, Room U-126, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. evonsche@peds.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: von Scheven
authors.forename: Jon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burnham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D