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Vitamin D and health in pregnancy, infants, children and adolescents in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement.

The Medical journal of Australia
January 1, 1970
Georgia A Paxton et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticlePractice GuidelineHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the recommended levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in infants, children, adolescents, and during pregnancy and lactation, and to identify risk factors for low vitamin D levels.

Results Summary

The study found that the recommended serum 25(OH)D level is ≥ 50 nmol/L, with higher levels needed in summer to maintain adequate levels in winter. Exclusive breastfeeding combined with other risk factors increases the risk of low vitamin D in infants, and supplementation of 400 IU vitamin D₃ daily is recommended for at-risk infants.

Population

Infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women.

Effective Dosage

400 IU vitamin D₃ daily for infants at risk of low vitamin D.

Duration

At least the first year of life for infants.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
sunlight exposure
neutral
vitamin D
-
-
is the most important source
#1
vitamin D supplementation (600 IU daily)
neutral
vitamin D levels
children aged over 12 months and during pregnancy and lactation
600 IU daily
recommended dietary allowance
#2
daily low-dose vitamin D supplements
neutral
vitamin D deficiency
-
-
can treat
#3
high-dose intermittent vitamin D
neutral
vitamin D deficiency
children and adolescents
-
can be used
#4
400 IU vitamin D₃ daily
neutral
vitamin D levels
infants at risk of low vitamin D
400 IU daily
should be supplemented
#5
vitamin D supplementation
no change
non-bone health outcomes
-
lack of data
lack of data from robust randomised controlled trials
#6
Abstract

• The recommended level for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in infants, children, adolescents and during pregnancy and lactation is ≥ 50 nmol/L. This level may need to be 10-20 nmol/L higher at the end of summer to maintain levels ≥ 50 nmol/L over winter and spring. • Sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D. The US recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 600 IU daily in children aged over 12 months and during pregnancy and lactation, assuming minimal sun exposure. • Risk factors for low vitamin D are: lack of skin exposure to sunlight, dark skin, southerly latitude, conditions affecting vitamin D metabolism and storage (including obesity) and, for infants, being born to a mother with low vitamin D and exclusive breastfeeding combined with at least one other risk factor. • Targeted measurement of 25(OH)D levels is recommended for infants, children and adolescents with at least one risk factor for low vitamin D and for pregnant women with at least one risk factor for low vitamin D at the first antenatal visit. • Vitamin D deficiency can be treated with daily low-dose vitamin D supplements, although barriers to adherence have been identified. High-dose intermittent vitamin D can be used in children and adolescents. Treatment should be paired with health education and advice about sensible sun exposure. Infants at risk of low vitamin D should be supplemented with 400 IU vitamin D₃ daily for at least the first year of life. • There is increasing evidence of an association between low vitamin D and a range of non-bone health outcomes, however there is a lack of data from robust randomised controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAustraliaChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantMaleNew ZealandPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsVitamin DVitamin D DeficiencyVitamins
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations131
Citations/Year10.9
Relative Citation Ratio5.72
NIH Percentile94.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.99
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
Vitamin D and health in pregnancy, infants, children and ado... | Panacea Index