Oral

Despite with the fortification of milk with vitamin D, deficiency of this key nutrient remains a problem. More than half of adults of over 65 are reported to be Vitamin D deficient, and this is a significant health problem especially among African American women, adolescent Hispanic and black children, and preadolescent white girls. Pregnant women and their infants are at risk: 76% of mothers and 81% of infants at the time of birth were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency prevents maximum bone growth and deposition of bone mineral in children, and may be associated with a range of chronic diseases including osteoporosis, osteomalacia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this session, presenters will discuss the screening, diagnosis and treatment methodologies for vitamin D deficiency, present information on the amount of vitamin D needed by mothers and infants for good health, describe the appropriate vitamin D metabolite to measure in the circulation to assess vitamin D status, present major sources of vitamin D, and describe health functions of vitamin D beyond skeletal maintenance. There will be an emphasis on the potential role of vitamin D in addressing health disparities and achieving the goals of Healthy People 2010.

Session Objectives: As the conclusion of the Session, the participants will be able to: 1. Describe the prevalance of vitamin D deficiency in the United States; 2. List the major sources of vitamin D and treatment strategies for vitamin D deficiency; 3. Discuss the role of vitamin D in improving overall health.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing