All Children Should Be Screened for Vitamin D Deficiency

Every parent and pediatrician should be aware of the risk said physicians from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center (Baltimore, MD, USA).

“Vitamin D deficiency can be a problem year round, but because sun exposure is critical for vitamin D synthesis and production, the winter months further exacerbate what is a perennial problem,” said Johns Hopkins Children’s Center endocrinologist Dominique Long, MD.

Vitamin D deficiency in childhood can cause skeletal deformities, brittle bones, frequent fractures, and lead to premature osteoporosis in later life. Recent studies have found a link between low vitamin D levels and some cancers, heart disease, suppressed immunity, and even premature death. These studies do not show that vitamin D deficiency can cause cancer or heart disease but do suggest that vitamin D may be a powerful player in the development of such disorders.

To prevent vitamin D deficiency, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed infants receive supplemental 400 IU daily until they are weaned and start consuming vitamin D-fortified formula or other foods. The recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin D is 400 IU for children younger than 1 year, and 600 IU for those older than 1 year.

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Johns Hopkins Children’s Center