Screening Adolescents at Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency: A Retrospective Study

•Guidelines lack consensus for vitamin D screening for at-risk adolescents.•In this study, 91% had low vitamin D according to the definition of the Endocrine Society.•Using the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, no adolescent in this study would have been screened.•Assessing of vitamin D intake and sun exposure is recommended to identify those at risk.•The highest vitamin D level was found in white non-Hispanics and lowest in black non-Hispanics.

Clinical practice guidelines differ on screening recommendations and definitions for adequate vitamin D levels. A chart review of 32 overweight/obese adolescents showed that 91% had low vitamin D levels based on the Endocrine Society definition of sufficient levels (≥ 30 ng/mL), whereas only 56% were low based on the American Academy of Pediatrics definition of sufficient levels (>20 ng/mL). Nurse practitioners should routinely inquire about exercise, healthy diet, and outdoor activities to identify those at risk for low vitamin D. A consensus in recommendations for vitamin D screening and sufficient serum levels would be beneficial for nurse practitioners for early recognition and consistency in care.