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| |  Daily Vitamin D Recommendations for Children Doubled: Presented at AAP By Martha Kerr, BSN BOSTON -- October 14, 2008 -- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has doubled the daily recommended vitamin D intake for children from 200 IU daily to 400 IU daily. The AAP presented the guidelines here on October 13 during the AAP 2008 National Conference & Exhibition, and they will be published in the November issue of Pediatrics. Previous guidelines were issued in 2003. "We are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day because evidence has shown this could have life-long health benefits," said coauthor of the guidelines Frank R. Greer, MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin and AAP Committee on Nutrition. It is difficult to determine how much sunlight exposure is safe and necessary for synthesis of dietary sources of vitamin D. In addition, dietary sources are limited, he commented. For these reasons, and because the evidence supports the safety of 400 IU daily for infants, children, and adolescents, the Academy made the decision to increase its recommendation for daily allowance. "Supplementation is important because most children will not get enough vitamin D through diet alone," Dr. Greer said. "Clinical data show that 400 IU vitamin D a day will not only prevent rickets, but treat it." The greatest risk for rickets in this country is among infants who are exclusively breastfed. "Until it is determined what the vitamin D requirements of the lactating mother-infant dyad are, we must ensure that the breastfeeding infant receives an adequate supply of vitamin D through a supplement of 400 IU per day," said coauthor Carol L. Wagner, MD, University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, and member of the AAP section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee. "It is important that breastfed infants in particular receive supplements of vitamin D." The new guidelines state that all breastfed and partially breastfed infants should receive vitamin D 400 IU supplements daily. All non-breastfed infants and older children who consume less than 1 quart of vitamin D-fortified milk or formula a day should receive 400 IU as a daily supplement. Children with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as those taking certain medications, may need higher daily doses of vitamin D. [Presentation title: Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Young Children and Adolescents.]
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