Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated recommendations regarding the amount of vitamin D infants and children should get in their diets. Previously children were recommended to get 200 IU of vitamin D per day, but this dosage has been doubled to 400 IU, due to an increase in cases of rickets (a bone-softening disease preventable – and treatable – with proper levels of vitamin D) in children.

"Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is considered both a hormone and a vitamin because it plays a critical role in maintaining the appropriate level of calcium in our blood through a variety of metabolic pathways," says Christiane Wert Rivard, a registered dietitian with Vitamin Shoppe. "Vitamin D is often called the 'sunshine vitamin' because your body will produce vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight."

Proper levels of calcium in the blood will prevent such diseases as rickets in children. But vitamin D may do even more than that for all of us. "There are data suggesting that vitamin D deficiency is linked to osteoporosis and fracture risk, and also one's risk of developing cancer and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus," says Dr. Catherine M. Gordon, director of the Children's Hospital Bone Health Program at Children's Hospital Boston.

Making sure children start their lives with a healthy amount of vitamin D in their bodies begins before birth.

"There are ongoing research studies to examine the effect of vitamin D on the developing fetus," Dr. Gordon says. "It is known that many mothers are vitamin D deficient, which explains why we are seeing such high rates of vitamin D deficiency among newborns and young children. It is critically important that a pregnant woman receive at least 400 IU of vitamin D daily (the amount in many prenatal vitamins) and a higher dose if prescribed by their obstetrician."

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.