Vitamin d deficiency in breastfed infants
- vitamin d deficiency in breastfed infants
- vitamin d deficiency in breastfed babies
- vitamin d deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants
- do breastfed babies lack vitamin d
Vitamin D is crucial for calcium metabolism and bone health, and it also has extra-skeletal actions, involving innate and adaptive immunity..
Vitamin D deficiency in children has been linked to adverse effects, such as growth failure and rickets.
Although vitamin D is available in several foods and drinks, recent estimates suggest the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among infants, children, and adolescents is between 12 and 24 percent.1,2 Infants who are breastfed appear to be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Family physicians should understand current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, and be prepared to educate parents about breastfeeding, sun precautions, and nutrition throughout childhood and adolescence.
Vitamin D in Health and Disease
Vitamin D plays several important roles in the metabolism and absorption of other minerals in the body.
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Vitamin D is essential for facilitating calcium metabolism and bone mineralization; is beneficial for phosphate and magnesium metabolism; and stimulates protein expression in the intestinal wall to promote calcium absorption.
Low levels of vitamin D lead to the release of parathyroid hormone, which causes calcium mobilization from the bone. Over time,
- does my baby need vitamin d if breastfeeding
- when to supplement vitamin d in breastfed infants