The IP address used for your Internet connection is part of a subnet that has been blocked from access to PubMed Central. Addresses across the entire subnet were used to download content in bulk, in violation of the terms of the PMC Copyright Notice. Use of PMC is free, but must comply with the terms of the Copyright Notice on the PMC site. For additional information, or to request that your IP address be unblocked, For requests to be unblocked, you must include all of the information in the box above in your message.Ziegler EE1, Hollis BW, Nelson SE, Jeter JM.Author information1Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. ekhard-ziegler@uiowa.eduAbstractOBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to assess the vitamin D status of breastfed infants living in Iowa (latitude: 41 degrees N).METHODS: Blood samples and dietary records from 84 breastfed infants participating in another study were used for a survey of vitamin D status at 280 days of age.
The vitamin D status of those (35 infants) who did not receive preformed vitamin D at 280 days of age (unsupplemented infants) was assessed longitudinally between 112 days and 15 months of age. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and, in most cases, parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase were determined.RESULTS: At 280 days of age, 10% of breastfed infants were vitamin D deficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 11 ng/mL). Deficiency was significantly more prevalent among dark-skinned infants and during winter and occurred exclusively in unsupplemented infants. During winter, 78% of unsupplemented infants were vitamin D deficient. During summer, only 1 infant who had dark skin pigmentation was vitamin D deficient. Longitudinal assessment of unsupplemented infants similarly showed that the majority of breastfed infants were vitamin D deficient during winter. Severe deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 5 ng/mL) was common and was accompanied by elevation of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency decreased with age but was still 12% at 15 months of age if no preformed vitamin D was received.CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency, including severe deficiency, was common among breastfed infants in Iowa who did not receive preformed vitamin D. Deficiency occurred mostly during winter but was not completely absent during summer. It affected infants with light as well as dark skin pigmentation. Consumption of preformed vitamin D from vitamin supplements or formula is effective in preventing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation should be provided to all breastfed infants.PMID: 16882813 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-0108 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Publication typeResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralMeSH termsAdultAge FactorsAlkaline Phosphatase/bloodBreast Feeding/adverse effects*Continental Population GroupsCross-Sectional StudiesDietary SupplementsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansInfantInfant, NewbornIowa/epidemiologyMaleParathyroid Hormone/bloodPrevalenceProspective StudiesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSeasonsSkin PigmentationSunlightVitamin D/administration & dosageVitamin D/analogs & derivativesVitamin D/bloodVitamin D Deficiency/bloodVitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology*Vitamin D Deficiency/etiologySubstancesParathyroid HormoneVitamin D25-hydroxyvitamin DAlkaline PhosphataseGrant supportHD40315/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United StatesFull Text SourcesHighWireOther Literature SourcesCOS Scholar UniverseMedicalBreastfeeding -
Growing children, especially those who don't eat a varied diet, sometimes don't get enough vitamins A and C. It's also difficult to get enough vitamin D through food alone. That’s why the Department of Health recommends that all children aged six months to five years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day. It's also recommended that babies who are being breastfed are given a daily vitamin D supplement from birth. Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day shouldn't be given vitamin supplements because formula is fortified with certain nutrients and no other supplementation is required. Your health visitor can give you advice on vitamin drops and tell you where to get them. You're entitled to free vitamin drops if you qualify for Healthy Start. Some supplements that can be bought over the counter in pharmacies contain other vitamins or ingredients. Talk to your pharmacist about which supplement would be most suitable for your child.
Having too much of some vitamins can be harmful. Keep to the recommended dose stated on the label, and be careful not to give your child two supplements at the same time. For example, don't give them cod liver oil and vitamin drops, as cod liver oil also contains vitamins A and D. One supplement on its own is strong enough. Vitamin D only occurs naturally in a few foods, such as oily fish and eggs. It is also added to some foods, such as fat spreads and breakfast cereals. The best source of vitamin D is summer sunlight on our skin. However, it's sensible to keep your child's skin safe in the sun. Children shouldn't be out too long in the sun in hot weather. Remember to cover up or protect their skin before it turns red or burns. It's important that young children still receive vitamin drops, even if they get out in the sun. Read more about vitamin D and sunlight. The Department of Health recommends that: Exclusive breastfeeding until around six months will help you protect your baby from illness and infection.
Babies who aren't breastfed are more likely to get diarrhoea and vomiting and respiratory infections. For mothers, breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast cancer and it may also offer some protection against ovarian cancer. Breast milk should continue to be given alongside an increasingly varied diet once your baby is introduced to solid foods. Vitamin supplements containing vitamins A and C are recommended for infants aged six months to five years old, unless they are getting more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day. Vitamin A is important for babies and young children, and some may not be getting enough. It strengthens their immune system, can help their vision in dim light, and maintains healthy skin. Good sources of vitamin A include: Vitamin C is important for your child's general health and their immune system. It can also help their body absorb iron. Good sources of vitamin C include: It’s important for children to eat healthily to make sure they are getting all the energy and nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.