 American Academy of Pediatrics Doubles
Recommended Vitamin D Dosage
Source: USA TODAY Date: 10/16/08
To
reduce rates of the bone-softening disease rickets and improve
long-term bone health, the American Academy of Pediatrics is doubling
its recommendation of vitamin D for
babies, children and adolescents,
according to a new clinical report out today.
The
report suggests children receive 400 IU (international units) a day of
vitamin D, beginning in the first few days of life — a big leap from a
2003 recommendation that suggested only half that amount starting in
the first two months of life.
"We
are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day
because evidence has shown this could have life-long health benefits,"
says chairman of the AAP National Committee on Nutrition and a lead
author of the group's new report. "Supplementation is important because
most children will not get enough vitamin D through diet alone."
Foods
rich in vitamin D include fortified milk and cereals and oily fish,
says Catherine Gordon, an endocrinologist and director of the
Children's Hospital Bone Health Program, Children's Hospital Boston.
Though sunlight is a good source, UV rays can cause other health risks,
she says. Breast-fed
babies are especially at risk, according to the study authors.
"Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants. However,
because of vitamin D deficiencies in the maternal diet, which affect
the vitamin D in a mother's milk, it is important that breastfed
infants receive supplements of vitamin D," says Carol Wagner, a member
of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee and co-author
of the report.
It is important to note that
the new recommendation pertains to healthy infants, children and
adolescents, Gordon says. "There are children with chronic disease —
such as epilepsy, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease — who
need much higher vitamin D doses to avoid vitamin D deficiency."
The new recommendations from the Academy of Pediatrics include:
• Breastfed
and partially breastfed babies should be supplemented with 400 IU a day
of
vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life. • All
non-breastfed infants, as well as older children, who are consuming
less than one quart per
day of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk,
should receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU a day. • Adolescents who do not obtain 400 IU of vitamin D per day through foods should receive a
supplement containing that amount. • Children
with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as those taking
certain medications,
may need higher doses of vitamin D.
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