Abstract :
This study was conducted to demonstrate the need to supplement purely breast-fed babies with Vitamin D. Method: Serum levels of 25(OH) D, Calcium and alkaline phosphatase were estimated in 50 babies, 6 to 10 weeks of age, and their mothers. They were grouped according to whether they had received vitamin D and calcium supplements: Group 1 – Both, mothers and babies were unsupplemented. Group 2 – Mothers but not babies were supplemented. Group 3 – Both mothers and babies received supplements. The effect of supplementation of mother or baby was studied. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high in both lactating mothers (82%) and their babies (97.5%). There was a strong positive correlation between vitamin D levels of the mothers and their 6-10 week old babies. Only direct supplementation of babies resulted in adequate s.25 (OH) D levels. Conclusions: Exclusively breastfed infants require to be supplemented with at least 400 IU/day from soon after birth.
Keyword :
Vitamin D supplementation, Breast fed babies, Alkaline phosphatase, Serum 25(OH) D level