Vitamin D and the breastfed infant: family physicians’ recommendations (118.5)
The FASEB Journal, vol. 28 no. 1 Supplement 118.5
Elizabeth Cozine 1, Puja Umaretiya 2, Tom Thacher 1, Julie Maxson 1 and Sara Oberhelman 1
1Family Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester MN United States
2Mayo Medical School Mayo Clinic Rochester MN United States
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D daily, beginning soon after birth. We surveyed all Family Medicine providers at a single, academic medical institution regarding their perceptions and practices of infant vitamin D supplementation.
Of 99 surveys solicited, 56 (57%) responded.
Respondents were aware of the AAP recommendation with 52 (93%) correctly identifying the AAP’s recommended dose.
The self-reported median (interquartile range) proportion of visits in which the provider recommended supplementation to exclusively or partially breastfed infants were 80% (50 - 97%) and 50% (25 - 80%), respectively. The most common reason (82%) for recommending supplementation was “to follow the AAP recommendations.” Thirty (54%) reported recommending vitamin D supplementation within the first two weeks of life. Of all respondents, 49 (88%) recommend infant vitamin D drops as the route of supplementation. Finally, 49 (88%) respondents would prefer to supplement the mother instead of the infant or offer the parents a choice if this were an adequate and safe option for vitamin D supplementation, and 17 (30%) would prefer monthly to daily supplementation.
In conclusion, Family Medicine providers are aware of current AAP recommendations, but vary in their practices; they are open to maternal vitamin D supplementation as an alternative option.
See also VitaminDWiki
- Infant-Child category listing with associated searches
- Fewer pre-infants were vitamin D deficient when they got 800 IU – RCT Feb 2014
- Presentation: pre and post natal vitamin D, with audience comments – Manchester UK Sept 2013
- Third study found that Infants needed 1600 IU of vitamin D – JAMA RCT May 2013 - not just 400 IU
- 800 IU vitamin D for infant and 2000 IU for mother is good, not great – RCT Dec 2013