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Article
Clinical practice guidelines for vitamin D in the United Arab Emirates
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Afrozul Haq, Research & Development
  • Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Cardio Metabolic Institute
  • Pawel Pludowski, Instytut "Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka"
  • Fatme Al Anouti, Zayed University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd In the UAE and the Gulf region in general, there are several intricate public health issues in the context of vitamin D deficiency that needs to be addressed. Changes in lifestyle such as diet, lack of exercise, cultural habits, avoiding sun exposure due to excessive heat, and other risk factors predispose those who live in GULF countries, such as Emiratis likely to becoming vitamin D deficient. Consequently, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high, and new guidelines are needed to overcome this major public health issue. Peer-reviewed papers related to guidelines and those vitamin D-related papers relevant to the Middle-Eastern region were extracted from multiple research databases using key words according to the general guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Analysis. This guideline was prepared focusing on the United Arab Emirate and the Gulf populations, to overcome the high incidence of vitamin D deficiency and to improve overall health. We recommend the following vitamin D supplementations for different groups of people: (A) Breastfed infants supplement with 400 IU/day up to age 6 months, and 400–600 IU/day between 6 and 12 months, depending on daily intake of total vitamin D and sun exposure; (B) for children and adolescents of age 1–18 years supplement with 600–1000 IU/day depending on the body weight; (C) adults greater than 18 years’, supplementation with 1000–2000 IU/day is recommended, while, (D) the elderly (over 65 years) should be supplemented with 2000 IU/day, throughout the year; (E) pregnant and breast feed women, 2000 IU/day from the first trimester of pregnancy. (F) Premature infants, supplementation of 400–800 IU/daystart from the first days of life. (G) For obese, individuals and those with metabolic syndrome, supplementation of 2000 IU/day (H) For individuals with dark skin complexions and for night workers, supplementation of 1000–2000 IU/day (25–50 μg/day), throughout the year, depending on body weight. The goal of supplementation is to achieve and longer term maintenance of serum 25(OH)D concentration of 30–50 ng/mL.

Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
  • 1,
  • 25(OH) D 2,
  • 25(OH)D,
  • Adverse effects,
  • Supplementation,
  • United Arab Emirates,
  • Vitamin D guidelines
Scopus ID

85008698626

Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.021
Citation Information
Afrozul Haq, Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Pawel Pludowski and Fatme Al Anouti. "Clinical practice guidelines for vitamin D in the United Arab Emirates" Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Vol. 175 (2018) p. 4 - 11 ISSN: <p><a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/0960-0760" target="_blank">0960-0760</a></p>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fatme-alanouti/16/