by Dr. Lisa Dana posted in Mom Stories
This week I am attending the UC San Francisco conference Advances & Controversies in Pediatrics. It is a yearly meeting where we refresh our knowledge on common topics, and learn about new ways to approach diagnostic dilemmas.
Dr. Michael Levine, the Chief of Endocrinology for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, reviewed the importance of vitamin D. According to his review, most infants, children and adults are not receiving sufficient vitamin D.
After reviewing vitamin D needs, the committee of the Institute of Medicine concluded that “Practically all people are sufficient at levels ≥20 ng/mL” This serum value covers the needs of of 97.5% of the population.
Infants under one year of age need 400 IU of vitamin D per day. Premature infants, dark skinned infants and babies who are on anti-seizure medications or steroids may need between 400-800 IU of vitamin D per day. After the age of one, children, teens and adults need 600 IU of vitamin D daily.
We know that breast fed infants need vitamin D supplementation, but I learned today that most formula fed babies also need vitamin D supplementation in the first year of life. Babies who drink less than 32 ounces of formula per day are not getting enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for bone development. It also helps with our immune system and our metabolism. We naturally make vitamin D when cholesterol in our skin is exposed to sunlight. How much sun time we need depends on the color of our skin and where we live on our planet. Smog, sunscreen, body mass, clothing, and time of year also affect how much vitamin D we can absorb from the sun.
According to the AAP “Infants younger than 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight and covered with appropriate protective clothing and hats.” Older children should avoid direct sun exposure between 10am and 4pm.
In the summer months, light skinned people need approximately 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure on bare arms and legs per day. According to the AAP, dark skinned people need 5-10x more sun exposure. How far we are away from the equator determines how much vitamin D we can absorb from the sun. It also depends on the angle of the sun rays and the time of day.
More from Dr. Dana: How much sun is okay?
We also can ingest vitamin D through certain foods and vitamin supplements. Wild salmon is one of my favorite super foods that is rich in vitamin D. Sardines, cod liver oil and fortified milk are also sources of vitamin D.
I have always felt that after one year of age, children can get enough vitamin D by drinking fortified milk. After today’s review on vitamin D, I realize that it is almost impossible to consume your daily vitamin D needs solely through milk and foods. Most children will need a vitamin supplementation. Speak to your doctor about vitamin D supplementation. You only want to take the amount that your body needs. You do not want to take too much vitamin D. Too much vitamin D can be toxic to your system.
More from Dr. Dana: How much milk should my toddler drink
Here are a few vitamin D food sources:
Wild Salmon (3 ounces) 447 IU
Cod liver oil (1 tsp) 1360 IU
Fortified milk (8 ounces) 124 IU
Fortified orange juice (8oz) 137 IU
Egg yolk (1 large) 40 IU
Many new mothers argue that breastmilk should have all of the nutrients necessary to supplement a new baby in the first five to six months of life. Breast milk is the perfect food for newborns, but it is not fortified with vitamin D. Dr. Levine did mention that breastfeeding mothers can take large doses of vitamin D in order to fortify their milk, but they need to discuss a safe dosage with their personal physician.
The advice provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment for specific medical conditions
Sources: NIH Vitamin D Fact Sheet
Photo:Flickr/emerille
Read more from source:“babycenter-com-baby”
what you need to know about vitamin d
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