Abstract
We hypothesized that exclusively breast-fed, white full-term infants do not require vitamin D supplements. We studied in a randomized, double blind fashion, 20 term, white infants fed exclusively human milk for 6 mos. 10 received 400 IU/day D2 (VitD) and 10 received placebo (NoVitD). Serum concentrations of 25-OHVitD2, 25-OHVitD2. and 1, 25(OH)2 VitD as well as bone mineral content (BMC) or the radius were measured at birth, 6 wks, 12 wks, and 26 wks of age. Sunshine exposure (minimal erythemic dosas [MED] of ultraviolet B light [UVB]) was monitored with polysulphone dosimeters. 250HD2 (±SD) was higher (p<.01) in VitD vs. NoVitD (32.9±8.9 vs 2.3±1 7 ng/ml at 12 wks and 24.7±11.2 vs 2.3±1.5 at 26 wks). However, 25-OHD3 (synthesized in skin by UVB) was lower (p<.05) in VitD vs NoVitD (8.75±8.8 vs 19.9±11.2 ng/ml at 12 wks and 13.7±12.1 vs 25.7±10.5 at 26 wks), though mean weekly sunshine exposure did not differ in the groups (0.3±0.4 vs 0.2±0.3 MED's/wk). 1,25(OH)2 VitD was similar in the groups at 12 wks (42.4±10.4 vs 41.5±12.3 pg/ml) and 26 wks (38.7±8.2 vs 37.2±8.7). BMC did not differ in the groups at 12 wks (VitD=80±12 mg/cm, NoVitD = 87±15 mg/cm) or 26 wks (Vit D=89±17 mg/cm, NoVitD=101±18 mg/cm). We conclude that white term, breast fed infants in Wisconsin do not need supplemental VitD as assessed by serum l,25(OH2Vit D and BMC, despite low sunshine exposure. This maybe due to NoVitD having higher serum 25OHD and thus a higher rate of synthesis and/or utilization of VitD3 from the skin compared to VitD infants.
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Greer, F., Marshall, S. & Chen, XR. INCREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D3, DECREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D2 AND NORMAL 1,25(OH)2 VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN BREAST-FED INFANTS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN D2. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 268 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00606
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00606