The Maternal and Child Health Research Program Final Report: Assessment of Seasonal and Racial Variation in Vitamin D Deficiency of Newborns and Their Mothers

A. Nature of the research problem Adequate vitamin D is essential for normal human growth and development; insufficient vitamin D compromises long term health, and increases the risk of chronic disease. In recent years, reports in the medical literature have indicated that vitamin D deficiency in the US is widespread and rising. In humans, vitamin D is derived primarily through the effect of solar ultraviolet light B radiation on 7-dehydrocholesterol in skin. Vitamin D can also be obtained from oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods like milk.