Aim To review BNFc advice regarding prevention and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency compared to other national guidance.

Methods All guidance regarding Vitamin D was reviewed in the 8 editions since the BNFc was first published in 2005. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2003 guide (Medicines for Children) was also reviewed. Dosage guidance and indications of prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency were compared.

Results Treatment doses have not changed, nor have maintenance dose (sometimes called prophylactic dose) recommendations for children older than 6 months. Maintenance doses for younger children have changed (see Table) and remain higher than those recommended by the Chief Medical Officers in 2005 and 2012. There is no mention of the use of Vitamin D3 vs. D2 (colecalciferol versus ergocalciferol). There have been shifts in emphasis in remarks about prevalence; from “deficiency is uncommon” to “symptoms are uncommon” to “Asymptomatic deficiency is common among some groups”. There is unsubstatiated guidance regarding biochemical monitoring of children with D deficiency, with each of the 8 editions stating that children on treatment doses should have a blood test weekly (or twice weekly) to check calcium levels.

Conclusions The BNFc portrayal of D Deficiency as an uncommon problem in 2003 has gradually changed thorough the editions. Since 2011 the high prevalence of asymptomatic deficiency has been acknowledged. However the recommendation that children should have regular blood tests, which is not based on evidence, and is against the consensus of national experts, has remained through the editions. We propose a new clearer national dosage guide in line with the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officers and withdrawal of the recommendation to monitor serum calcium in well children with asymptomatic D Deficiency.