Prophylactic Vitamin D Supplementation in High‐Risk Breastfed Infants

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency in children is associated with decreased bone mineralisation, deformational rickets and, in severe cases, hypocalcaemic seizure, motor delay and cardiomyopathy.1 Infant vitamin D status at birth is a reflection of maternal stores, and deficiency less than 50 nmol/L occurs in a striking 11% of all infants in Australia, and in 72% of infants whose mothers have dark skin. 2 Breastfed infants are at higher risk of deficiency, as, despite its benefits, breastmilk contains insufficient vitamin D for infant requirements. Most Australian formulas contain vitamin D supplementation.

Cow’s Milk and Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants—Timing Is Everything

“…Guidelines for vitamin D supplementation in newborn infants differ. For example, guidelines in the United States and United Kingdom recommend routine vitamin D supplementation in all breastfed infants, whereas guidelines in Australia recommend supplementation only in breastfed infants at high risk of vitamin D deficiency . The American Association of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine define vitamin D insufficiency as 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of less than 20 ng/mL in children.…”