AAP advises doubling previously recommended amount of vitamin D for children

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday updated a 2003 recommendation on vitamin D consumption—suggesting that children should consume 400 International Units of vitamin D daily from the time they’re born through the time they become teenagers—doubling the previous recommendation.

“New evidence supports a potential role for vitamin D in maintaining innate immunity and preventing diseases such as diabetes and cancer,” the AAP said. “The new data may eventually refine what constitutes vitamin D sufficiency or deficiency.”

The new amount also suggests children may need to boost their vitamin D consumption through supplements. The Academy suggests vitamin D(3), cholecalciferol, which is sourced from fish, has greater efficacy in raising vitamin D levels than does vitamin D(2), ergocalciferol, which is plant derived, and noted that most fortified milk products and vitamin supplements now contain cholecalciferol.

The Academy also noted that while multivitamins may be appropriate for older children and adolescents, vitamin D-only drops totaling 400 IUs may be mos appropriate for use with infants.