AAP Recommends Double the Vitamin D for Children

This week the American Academy of Pediatrics announced that it is now recommending 400 IU of vitamin D daily for infants and children. This is double the previously recommended amount of 200 IU a day.

This change is based on new clinical trials on vitamin D showing that 400 IU of vitamin D will prevent and treat rickets. The AAP is recommending more vitamin D to prevent other diseases, such as cancer, hearth disease, and diabetes, though there is no conclusive evidence proving that higher levels of vitamin D will prevent these diseases.

Naturally this has gotten people talking about supplements for babies and children. My personal preference is to try to get all the recommended vitamins and minerals from a healthy, varied diet before I start reaching for supplements. In that respect, I think my own family may be all right.

According to the report's co-author, Dr. Frank Greer, children would need to drink four cups of milk a day to meet the new requirement. Dr. Greer, I'd like to introduce you to my lactophile son. Between the copious amounts of milk he guzzles daily and his passion for cheese and yogurt I think we've got it covered, thank you.

The AAP is particularly concerned that breast milk may be especially low in mothers who are themselves vitamin D deficient. They are recommending supplements for breast-fed babies, which frustrates me a little (ever try giving a baby vitamin or mineral supplements?). I wish researchers could put greater focus on improving the nutrition of pregnant and nursing mothers.

If your child cannot or will not drink milk supplements may be a good idea. However, there are other good sources of vitamin D, such as egg yolks and oily fish (mackerel, tuna). Check out this list of foods high in vitamin D from Nutrition Data.com.

I'm just saying... let's take a breath, talk to our pediatricians, and think a moment before we go crazy with the supplements.

More news stories on the AAP's new recommendation for vitamin D

CNN: Kids should get more vitamin D

MSN: Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines for Youngsters Doubled

Health News: Doubling Vitamin D for Children Could Prevent Serious Diseases

ABC News: Pediatricians Double Vitamin D Requirement

Suite 101: Vitamin D Deficiency in Breastfed Babies: Sun Exposure, Breastfeeding, and Rickets

(Image via Western Kentucky University)

Comments

[Lindsey]

My mother called me in a panic when she heard this.

My kids are also lactophiles and they get out in the sun enough, and they eat a fairly healthy diet. I think we/they should be more focused on those who aren't as informed about children's health. (I know people who give their kids Kool-Aid in a bottle instead of milk.)

I'm with you--healthy diet first, THEN consider supplements after talking to the doctor.

[Colleen]

About a year and a half ago, my partner's cousin, who is an M.D., was telling us that she is very skeptical of most new claims that come up in the health field, but that the news about Vitamin D was truly promising and she recommends supplements to all of her (adult) patients.

I do think we have to be careful about going crazy with supplements, but we also have to consider -- when thinking about babies and children especially -- how other advice we follow may impact the situation. For example, we are told to keep our babies and young children out of the sun, or to put copious amounts of sunblock on them, for fear of too much exposure to UV rays. And unfortunately, that negatively impacts their bodies' ability to generate Vitamin D naturally.

Thanks for the information, especially about milk products.

[Adriana]

Thanks, Colleen and Lindsey. My mother e-mailed me with a question about vitamin D and sun. Poking around the web there seems to be a consensus among pediatricians that a few minutes in the sun without sunscreen a few times a week will help your body get vitamin D without endangering your skin too much. Where's the balance between skin cancer risk and adequate vitamin D absorption? I guess that's up to every parent to decide.

[Novembrance]

Cod liver oil is my preferred source; the kids and I take it every day. We also drink a lot of milk (10 gallons per week for the 8 of us) and only use sunscreen at the beach.

[diet supplements]

My kids are also lactophiles and they get out in the sun enough, and they eat a fairly healthy diet.

[OvernighEssay.com]

Cod liver oil??? Well should try it. If it's really so good as you told, I'll use it

[custom writing company]

Vitamin D is essential for children. Especially it's very important to get it for babies.

[Man and Van in London]

The best source of vitamin D is the sun.