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Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand : a consensus statement
journal contribution
posted on 2006-09-04, 00:00 authored by C Munns, M Zacharin, C Rodda, J Batch, R Morley, N Cranswick, M Craig, W Cutfield, P Hofman, B Taylor, S Grover, Julie PascoJulie Pasco, D Burgner, C Cowell• Vitamin D deficiency has re-emerged as a significant paediatric health issue, with complications including hypocalcaemic seizures, rickets, limb pain and fracture.
• A major risk factor for infants is maternal vitamin D deficiency. For older infants and children, risk factors include dark skin colour, cultural practices, prolonged breastfeeding, restricted sun exposure and certain medical conditions.
• To prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants, pregnant women, especially those who are dark-skinned or veiled, should be screened and treated for vitamin D deficiency, and breastfed infants of dark-skinned or veiled women should be supplemented with vitamin D for the first 12 months of life.
• Regular sunlight exposure can prevent vitamin D deficiency, but the safe exposure time for children is unknown.
• To prevent vitamin D deficiency, at-risk children should receive 400 IU vitamin D daily; if compliance is poor, an annual dose of 150 000 IU may be considered.
• Treatment of vitamin D deficiency involves giving ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol for 3 months (1000 IU/day if < 1 month of age; 3000 IU/ day if 1-12 months of age; 5000 IU/day if > 12 months of age).
• High-dose bolus therapy (300 000-500 000 IU) should be considered for children over 12 months of age if compliance or absorption issues are suspected.
• A major risk factor for infants is maternal vitamin D deficiency. For older infants and children, risk factors include dark skin colour, cultural practices, prolonged breastfeeding, restricted sun exposure and certain medical conditions.
• To prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants, pregnant women, especially those who are dark-skinned or veiled, should be screened and treated for vitamin D deficiency, and breastfed infants of dark-skinned or veiled women should be supplemented with vitamin D for the first 12 months of life.
• Regular sunlight exposure can prevent vitamin D deficiency, but the safe exposure time for children is unknown.
• To prevent vitamin D deficiency, at-risk children should receive 400 IU vitamin D daily; if compliance is poor, an annual dose of 150 000 IU may be considered.
• Treatment of vitamin D deficiency involves giving ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol for 3 months (1000 IU/day if < 1 month of age; 3000 IU/ day if 1-12 months of age; 5000 IU/day if > 12 months of age).
• High-dose bolus therapy (300 000-500 000 IU) should be considered for children over 12 months of age if compliance or absorption issues are suspected.
History
Journal
Medical journal of AustraliaVolume
185Issue
5Pagination
268 - 272Publisher
Australasian Medical Publishing CompanyLocation
Sydney, N.S.W.ISSN
0025-729XeISSN
1326-5377Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2006, Australasian Medical Publishing CompanyUsage metrics
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