TY - JOUR T1 - What diseases are causally linked to vitamin D deficiency? JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood JO - Arch Dis Child SP - 185 LP - 189 DO - 10.1136/archdischild-2014-307961 VL - 101 IS - 2 AU - Ian R Reid Y1 - 2016/02/01 UR - http://adc.bmj.com/content/101/2/185.abstract N2 - The classical clinical consequence of vitamin D deficiency is osteomalacia, presenting as rickets in children. This remains a common problem in parts of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, and occurs when serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are <25 nmol/L. Osteomalacia remains the only problem that is unequivocally a consequence of vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are observed in a wide range of conditions, but consistent trial evidence of amelioration of these conditions with vitamin D is lacking. Monotherapy with vitamin D has not been found to be effective in meta-analyses of trials assessing its effects on bone density, fractures or falls. At present, supplements should be advised for individuals at risk of having serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the 25–40 nmol/L range, or below, with a view to prevention of osteomalacia. ER -