Vitamin D

In addition to the widespread assessment of vitamin D status, a number of societies have put forth new targets for vitamin D intake and status with the goal to optimize health outcomes. [...] In September 2007, the IOM held a 2-day conference on vitamin D4 to review the evidence-based science of vitamin D nutrition and bone health (8) and to begin looking forward to resolution of the discrepancy in recommendations and optimization of vitamin D status. [...] Sources of vitamin D typical to the exclusively breastfed infant’s diet include small amounts in the mother’s milk, vitamin D drops/syrup, and perhaps cod liver oil, although the vitamin A content of liver oils should be considered due to the risk of toxicity at sufficiently high levels. [...] With respect to vitamin D and programming, maternal vitamin D status in the third trimester of pregnancy positively associated with bone mass in the offspring at 9 years of age (78). [...] The BMD of the distal radius was 6% higher and the BMD of the femoral neck was 9% higher in those who received a vitamin D supplement in infancy (81).