Vitamin D Deficiency: Implications Across the Lifespan

Vitamin D deficiency can occur in infancy, childhood, midlife, and aging. Research is emerging regarding vitamin D deficiency and its effect on neuromuscular function, cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory illnesses, and bone mineralization. Recent evidence has shown that there is a need for increased vitamin D supplementation across the lifespan. Nurse practitioners must understand the effect of vitamin D deficiency on multiple body systems, assessment for deficiency, treatment, and prevention.