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Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K, are molecules with no energy value that are essential for the body to function and for life. Their intake is almost exclusively exogenous, i.e. dietary. The ubiquitous and vital nature of the functions performed by these vitamins explains the wide variety of clinical manifestations and their potential seriousness, particularly in cases of deficiency, but also in cases of excess or hypervitaminosis. We present here the main symptoms of hypervitaminosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K, are molecules with no energy value that are essential for the body to function and for life. Their intake is almost exclusively exogenous, i.e. dietary. As a result, deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins are rarer in industrialised countries than in countries with limited resources. However, even in the latter, certain groups of individuals are affected, such as newborns or growing children, pregnant or breast-feeding women and elderly or isolated subjects. Vitamin A, D, E and K deficiencies are also relatively common in people with digestive tract disorders, in patients suffering from chronic pathologies or in intensive care patients. Deficiencies or excesses of fat-soluble vitamins are responsible for a variety of more or less specific clinical symptoms. Treatment of deficiencies requires vitamin supplementation, a well-balanced diet and treatment of the cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K, are molecules with no energy value that are essential to the body's functioning and to life. Their intake is almost exclusively exogenous, i.e. dietary. Deficiency or excess of fat-soluble vitamins is responsible for a variety of more or less specific clinical symptoms. The fact that the functions performed by these vitamins are both ubiquitous and vital explains the wide variety of clinical manifestations and their potential seriousness. Some syndromes are typical of a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, such as: the combination of ophthalmological and immunity impairment in the case of vitamin A; a haemorrhagic syndrome and osteopenia in the case of vitamin E; and osteomalacia, muscular weakness, even falls, and rickets in the case of vitamin D. Diagnosis of a deficiency in one of the fat-soluble vitamins is based on blood tests, which are not always essential for routine use. In this case, a therapeutic test may be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A high prevalence of low bone mineralization is documented in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Osteopenia is present in as much as 85% of adult patients and osteoporosis in 13 to 57% of them. In children, studies are discordant probably because of different control database. Denutrition, inflammation, vitamin D and vitamin K deficiency, altered sex hormone production, glucocorticoid therapy, and physical inactivity are well known risk factors for poor bone health. Puberty is a critical period and requires a careful follow-up for an optimal bone peak mass. This review is a consensus statement established by the national working group of the French Federation of CF Centers to develop practice guidelines for optimizing bone health in patients with CF. Recommendations for screening and for calcium, vitamin D and K supplementation are given. Further work is needed to define indications for treatment with biphosphonates and anabolic agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamins are micronutrients not synthesised by the human body and should be provided by the nutrition. Liposoluble vitamins include vitamins A, E, D and K. Vitamins A and E are two potent antioxidant nutrients and play a significant role in immune function. Vitamin D plays a major role in intestinal calcium absorption and bone mineralization. Vitamin K intervenes in the synthesis of coagulation factors particularly in the prothrombin synthesis. Vitamin metabolism, placental transfer, vitamin status in newborns and infants are reported. Finally requirements of these vitamins are defined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]