What are the pediatric health problems associated with a low vitamin D level?
The main source of vitamin D is sunlight. Living in a northern latitude, insufficient sunlight exposure, dark skin, and exclusive breastfeeding are all associated with low vitamin D levels.
Infants who are not breastfed receive vitamin D supplementation via formula, but breastfeeding infants need to rely on either a vitamin D supplement, or adequate vitamin D levels in mother’s milk. Mothers in the USA are assumed to have low vitamin D levels in their breastmilk, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 units of vitamin D as a supplement for all breastfeeding infants starting at birth.
The Institute of Medicine recommends 600units of vitamin D for healthy children ages 1-18.
Many families do not give vitamin D supplements routinely to their breastfeeding infants because of the inconvenience, cost, belief that breastmilk is a complete food, and their infant’s refusal to take it.
A 2017 article published in Global Public Health reviewed the health implications of a low vitamin D level during infancy.