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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 24, 2007
Canadian
mothers and babies don’t get enough
vitamin D
Paediatricians recommend increased doses
for pregnant and breastfeeding women
OTTAWA
― Canadian mothers and babies,
especially those in northern communities,
aren’t getting enough vitamin D,
according to a new statement by the
Canadian Paediatric Society.
Vitamin
D deficiency—prevalent among pregnant
women, exclusively breastfed infants, and
northern Aboriginal populations—can pose
serious dangers to the development of a
fetus and infant, yet is easily preventable
through supplements. Vitamin D can also
help protect babies against certain
illnesses in childhood and later in life.
“Ensuring
that pregnant women and babies have enough
vitamin D can have lifelong
implications,” said Dr. John Godel,
principal author of the statement.
“The currently recommends levels of
supplementation for pregnant and
breastfeeding women may not be enough to
ensure that babies get what they need.”
The
CPS recommends that all babies who are
exclusively breastfed receive a supplement
of 400 IU/day, and that babies in the North
(above 55 degrees latitude) get twice that
amount during winter months (from October
to April).
Pregnant
or breastfeeding women should talk to their
doctor about taking a supplement of 2000 IU/day.
The
CPS statement, Vitamin
D supplementation: recommendations for
Canadian mothers and infants,
published in this month’s issue of Paediatrics
& Child Health, also recommends
that babies who are at risk of vitamin D
deficiency—those with dark skin, who have
limited exposure to the sun, or whose
mothers are vitamin D deficient—also get
extra vitamin D during the winter,
regardless of where they live.
Vitamin
D, which is involved in the regulation of
cell growth, immunity and cell metabolism,
is produced mainly in the skin through sun
exposure, but is also ingested through food
and supplements. Recent data from the
Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program
suggests that rickets—a vitamin
D-deficiency associated illness—is still
prevalent in Canada, especially among First
Nations and Inuit populations, despite
simple and cost-effective prevention
measures.
“Limited
sun exposure at northern latitudes
contributes to low levels of vitamin D,
especially among northern Aboriginal
communities,” said Dr. Kent Saylor, chair
of the CPS First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Health Committee. “Vitamin D
supplementation is the simplest way to
protect mothers and their infants from
preventable illness.”
The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national advocacy
association that promotes the health needs of children and youth. Founded in 1922,
the CPS represents more than 2,500
paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists
and other child health professionals across
Canada.
Paediatrics & Child Health is the peer-reviewed journal of the
CPS.
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To
access the full statement, visit: www.cps.ca/english/statements/II/FNIM07-01.htm.
Media inquiries:
Canadian Paediatric Society
613-526-9397, ext. 247
media@cps.ca
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