Vitamin D in infancy

Abstract

Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 50, Issue 7 p. 570-570 Heads UpFree Access Vitamin D in infancy First published: 07 July 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12670 edited by Craig Mellis (craig.mellis@sydney.edu.au) AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat New Zealand recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age, but not routine infant vitamin D supplements, although some countries recommend vitamin D ‘to prevent rickets’ in breastfed infants. A study of 94 healthy breastfed New Zealand infants aged 2–3 months found marked seasonal variation.1 The median vitamin D level was 53 nmol/L but the range was 14–100. Vitamin D deficiency, defined as <27.5 nmol/L, was found in 23 infants (24%), mainly in winter. There was no significant difference in levels in European and non-European infants. The authors recommended considering routine vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants. However, a study from birth to age 24 months of 21 initially breastfed Malawi infants who were not vitamin D supplemented found that the children's vitamin D levels were 36% of adult levels at birth, 60% at 2 months old, but equal to adult levels at 12 months and maintained at 24 months.2 Vitamin D levels in breast milk were low. Although breastfed infants' vitamin D levels are low in early infancy, the Malawi study suggests that levels will rise with time and that supplementation is unnecessary. References 1Wall CR et al. Arch. Dis. Child. 2013; 98: 176– 179. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 2Amukele TK et al. Arch. Dis. Child. 2013; 98: 180– 183. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Reviewer: David Isaacs, Children's Hospital at Westmead (david.isaacs@health.nsw.gov.au). Seasonal variation in breastfed infants' vitamin D levels. Volume50, Issue7July 2014Pages 570-570 ReferencesRelatedInformation