Preface

This book examines the importance and role of vitamin D in health and different diseases. It is divided into four sections that cover vitamin D metabolism and deficiency; vitamin D, immune system and infections; vitamin D and dental medicine; and vitamin D and other diseases.

The first section includes three chapters. The first, by Özkan et al., examines vitamin D metabolism and deficiency; the second, by Kanike et al., discusses vitamin D deficiency in women and newborns; and the third, by Kupisz-Urbanska et al., covers vitamin D in the elderly.

The second section includes three chapters. The first chapter by Vikram et al. describes the function and relation of vitamin D in the immune system, while the second chapter by Čulić and the third by Ashraf et al. discuss the role of vitamin D in viral infections and the human coagulation system including influenza and, conventional coronaviruses, and specifically SARS-CoV-2 and its thrombotic complications.

In the third section, the chapters by Jagelaviciene and Aydın discuss the role and importance of vitamin D in periodontal diseases and dentistry.

In the fourth section, the chapter by Macido describes how vitamin D plays a role in modern diseases such as diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers. The chapter by Homann examines the role of vitamin D in central nervous system pathological processes such as different types of brain injuries and encephalopathies, stroke, meningitis, and autoimmunity including neurodegeneration. The final chapter in this section by Savelkoul et al. describes the role of vitamin D in autism spectrum disorder.

The editor is grateful to his daughter Berrin Nikâme and his wife Seval Hülya for their moral support and patience during the preparation of this book, especially during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also wishes to thank Author Service Manager Ms. Marijana Francetic at IntechOpen for her service.

#### **Öner Özdemir, MD**

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy/Immunology, Sakarya University, Adapazarı, Turkey

**1**

Section 1

Vitamin D Metabolism

and Deficiency

Section 1
