With the introduction of Vitamin D supplementation of infant formula and milk, rickets was soon considered a rare disease. However, cases of rickets continue to be reported in the United States as most children no longer receive vitamins with Vitamin D.
In addition to supplements, children can receive Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, which stimulates Vitamin D production in the skin. Because dark skinned children and those that aren't exposed to enough sunlight have always been thought to be at risk of rickets, it has always been recommended that they receive Vitamin D supplements if they weren't drinking formula (infants) or Vitamin D fortified milk (older children), but it wasn't thought that most other kids needed extra Vitamin D.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its clinical report, Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, now recommends that all children, beginning in the first two months of life, receive at least 400 IU of Vitamin D each day.
Sunlight and Vitamin D
If children can make Vitamin D when being exposed to the sun, what is wrong with just letting him play outside each day?Direct exposure to sunlight is known to increase a child's risk of getting skin cancer, so sun exposure without sunscreen is being discouraged more and more. The AAP goes so far as to say that infants under 6 months of age should have no direct sun exposure. And sunscreen decreases the body's ability to make Vitamin D.
Plus, it was never really known how much sun exposure was enough and some parts of the world do not get enough sunlight each day to prevent rickets.
Who needs Vitamin D supplements?
Everyone does, but most infants and children will get enough Vitamin D from drinking infant formula or milk fortified with Vitamin D as long as they are drinking at least 500ml (about 17 ounces) each day.Children who are exclusively breastfeeding or toddlers who aren't drinking much milk will also need Vitamin D supplements. Just because children don't get enough Vitamin D from breastfeeding is not a reason to supplement with formula or to not breastfeed, it just means that you should give your child a vitamin with Vitamin D.
Older children and teens who don't get regular sun exposure and who don't drink at least 17 ounces of milk will also need extra Vitamin D.
How to get Vitamin D supplements?
Like I have said, most children can get Vitamin D from drinking a Vitamin D fortified infant formula or milk. Both cow's milk and many brands of soy milk are fortified with Vitamin D and are good choices for older children. Breastfeeding infants and older children not drinking milk can get their extra Vitamin D from a daily vitamin.There are no vitamins with just Vitamin D in, so you will have to give a multivitamin for now. Good choices for infants include:
- Gerber Vitamin Drops
- Poly-Vi-Sol Drops
- Tri-Vi-Sol Drops
- Vi-Daylin ADC or Multivitamin Drops
Talk to your Peditrician if you aren't sure if your child needs extra Vitamin D or if you are unsure how to give him extra vitamins.
