---
title: Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children
description: Vitamin D deficiency in children is linked to rickets and immune dysfunction, and one trial found supplementation cut influenza A risk by 58% in winter.
image: https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/archive/sciblog_20.jpg
---

An **educational publication of Designs for Health**

[For Practitioners →](https://www.designsforhealth.com)

[![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)](https://www.casi.org/)

[Home](https://www.casi.org/) [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update) [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education) [Archive](https://www.casi.org/articles/all)

Search articles

Search

Science Update

# Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children

CA Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT Jun 03, 2022

![Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children](https://www.casi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casi/archive/sciblog_20.jpg?width=960)

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for [bone formation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) during childhood. It helps support healthy bone mineralization and [calcium homeostasis regulation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/). It also helps promote healthy [immune system development](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/), cellular growth, and cardiovascular health. Recent research highlights the critical role of vitamin D in pediatric health.  

Deficiencies and insufficiencies in [vitamin D](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) are common in pediatric and adult populations. In the [pediatric population](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/), vitamin D deficiencies may be a result of inadequate nutritional intake, decreased absorption, certain pathologies, lifestyle changes, lack of sun exposure, and genetic conditions. Other factors that may contribute to [vitamin D deficiencies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8301330/) include living in higher latitudes and areas with restricted sun exposure, and individuals with darker skin pigmentation. A review article published by [Castano and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) explored recent literature on the impact of vitamin D deficiency on bone health in the pediatric population. 

[Rickets](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513407/) is a condition associated with deficiencies in the mineralization of bone and cartilage, skeletal deformities, and growth failure. The development of nutritional rickets has been associated with [deficiencies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) in vitamin D in children. Despite efforts to fortify certain foods and milk with vitamin D, incidences of rickets have [globally](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) increased.  

[Castano and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) highlight certain risk factors for the development of rickets. These include certain genetic changes in [vitamin D receptors](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) (VDRs) and other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The results from twin studies evaluating the inherited vitamin D status varies widely between 20% and 85%. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.  

Certain chronic illnesses may also contribute to nutritional rickets, according to [Castano and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children may contribute to [malabsorption](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) problems. Chronic [liver disease](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/) may cause altered synthesis and absorption impairments. Kidney diseases and other pathologies, such as [cystic fibrosis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35565821/)may also be associated with vitamin D deficiencies.  

Vitamin D helps support both innate and [adaptive immune health](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/). VDRs are present on certain immune cells, including [lymphocytes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/) and monocytes. Vitamin D has been shown to modulate antimicrobial peptide transcription, the secretion of interleukin (IL)-10, and the production of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in monocytes and [macrophages](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/) through VDR signaling. The VDR signaling in dendritic cells has also been associated with certain aspects of [T-cell differentiation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/). 

[Vitamin D status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458099/) has been associated with the incidence of microbial illness in the pediatric population. A population study reported that newborns with lower levels of serum vitamin D had a greater prevalence of otitis media and [upper respiratory infections](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928729/) at 3 months of age and wheezing at 15 months. A randomized control trial explored the potential role of supplementation with vitamin D in more than 300 children during the winter months to help prevent influenza A. The [treatment arm](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928729/) was shown to have a 58% lower likelihood of contracting influenza A as compared to a placebo. 

Vitamin D supports healthy bones and normal growth. It also helps support the development of a healthy immune system.  

On this page

Share

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-review-explores-the-impact-of-vitamin-d-deficiencies-in-children) [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-review-explores-the-impact-of-vitamin-d-deficiencies-in-children&text=Recent+Review+Explores+the+Impact+of+Vitamin+D+Deficiencies+in+Children) [Email](mailto:?subject=Recent%20Review%20Explores%20the%20Impact%20of%20Vitamin%20D%20Deficiencies%20in%20Children&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-review-explores-the-impact-of-vitamin-d-deficiencies-in-children)

CA

### Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT

Clinical Application

## Clinical Considerations in Practice

 In clinical practice, practitioners considering the topics discussed above may also weigh nutrient form, delivery and formulation, alongside individual patient variability.

### Practitioner Formulation Example

![Emulsi-D3 Synergy™](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lemtscrs/production-www/c804b0af0ecef0e305c14c5b22a14356a8e079b8-2000x2000.png?w=128&h=128&fit=max&auto=format)

Emulsi-D3 Synergy™

Vitamin D3 and vitamin K1/K2 · Liquid

[Explore Formulations →](https://www.designsforhealth.com/products/emulsi-d3-synergy)

## Continue your research

#### [Science Update A Case Report on Vitamin C Supplementation in a 67-Year-Old Male with Leukopenia Jul 21, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/a-case-report-on-vitamin-c-supplementation-in-a-67-year-old-male-with-leukopenia)

#### [Science Update Integrative Management of Estrogen Dominance, Methylation Impairment, and Histamine Intolerance in Perimenopause: A Case Report Apr 23, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/integrative-management-of-estrogen-dominance-methylation-impairment-and-histamine-intolerance-in-perimenopause-a-case-report)

#### [Science Update A Case Report on a Personalized Nutraceutical, Dietary, Lifestyle Protocol Supporting an 11-Year-Old Boy with Crohn’s Disease Feb 19, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/case-report-protocol-crohns-disease)

#### [Research & Education Gut and Immune Health: A Clinical Review of Their Interconnected Systems Nov 12, 2025](https://www.casi.org/articles/gut-immune-health-interconnected-systems)

![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)

An educational publication of [**Designs for Health**](https://www.designsforhealth.com). Peer-reviewed nutrition science, free for everyone.

#### Sections

- [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update)
- [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education)

#### Terms & Conditions

- [Privacy Notice](https://www.designsforhealth.com/privacy-notice)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.designsforhealth.com/terms-of-use)

CASI.org © 2026 All rights reserved

 Do not sell my personal information 

Built with care · Peer-reviewed since 1996

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/",
    "name" : "Home",
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/articles",
    "name" : "The CASI Library",
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "name" : "Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children",
    "position" : 3
  } ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/recent-review-explores-the-impact-of-vitamin-d-deficiencies-in-children",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-17"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT",
    "url" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/author/cory-ambrose-nd-mat"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2022-06-03T12:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children",
  "image" : [ "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/archive/sciblog_20.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/recent-review-explores-the-impact-of-vitamin-d-deficiencies-in-children",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "CASI.org"
  }
}
```