The following adult groups are at risk of vitamin D deficiency: 5
- older people, aged 65 years and over 5
- people who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, who are housebound or who are confined indoors for long periods 5
- Institutionalized or hospitalized individuals 1-4
- people who have darker skin, for example people of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian
origin, because their bodies are not able to make as much vitamin D. 5 - Obese individuals 1-4
- Patients being evaluated for osteoporosis
- Those recently treated for vitamin D deficiency and requiring maintenance therapy.
- Use of certain concomitant medications (e.g., anticonvulsant medications, glucocorticoids)
- Patients with malabsorption, including inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis 1-5
- Chronic disease that may increase risk of vitamin D deficiency: • chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease 5
Pregnant and Breastfeeding women with an identified risk of vitamin D deficiency
Observational studies of pregnant women in Ireland have revealed significant levels of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. 6,7
- Vitamin D deficiency is common during pregnancy especially among high-risk groups, including vegetarians, women with limited sun exposure (e.g. those who live in cold climates, reside in northern latitudes, or wear sun and winter protective clothing) and ethnic groups (whose members cover their skin), especially those with heavily pigmented, darker skin. 7,8
- Altavita D3 1,000 and 7,000 iu soft capsules are licensed for prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant and breastfeeding women with an identified risk. 1,2 *.
- Doses of 1,000 iu to 2,000 iu per day may be required to prevent deficiency in some women.
- Even Higher doses may be required during breastfeeding if women choose not to give the infant a vitamin D supplement.
* Please note Altavita 25,000 iu soft capsules, Altavita 25,000 iu oral solution and Altavita 50,000 iu soft capsules are not licensed for prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women with an identified risk.
- Consilient Health Ltd, Altavita® D3 1,000 IU soft capsules, SPC – available on medicines.ie
- Consilient Health Ltd, Altavita® D3 7,000 IU soft capsules, SPC – available on medicines.ie
- Consilient Health Ltd, Altavita® D3 25,000 IU soft capsules, SPC – available on medicines.ie
- Consilient Health Ltd, Altavita® D3 25,000 IU oral solution, SPC – available on medicines.ie
- The Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS). Vitamin D and Bone Health: A Practical Clinical Guideline for Patient Management. December 2018. V2.
- Clinical Practice Guideline Nutrition During Pregnancy Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Directorate of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, Health Service Executive (Endorsements pending), https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/clinical-guidelines/national-clinical-guidelines-nutrition-in-pregnancy-guideline.pdf
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, University College Cork, Pregnancy, https://www.ucc.ie/en/vitamind/faqs/throughthelifecycle/pregnancy
- The American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vitamin D: Screening and Supplementation During Pregnancy, https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2011/07/vitamin-d-screening-and-supplementation-during-pregnancy#:~:text=Recent%20evidence%20suggests%20that%20vitamin,and%20ethnic%20
IE-ALT-396(3) November 2025