Total Duration of Breastfeeding, Vitamin D Supplementation, and Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

Adherence to Vitamin D Supplementation Recommendations for Breastfed Infants and Young Children: An Analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey Data Cycles From 2015 to 2018

BACKGROUND

In Canada, nutrition policy, as outlined in the Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants recommendations, includes a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 μg (400 IU) for breastfed infants and young children to support adequate vitamin D status.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to report on adherence to vitamin D supplementation recommendations for breastfed infants (≤12 months); and for children breastfed >12 mo.

METHODS

Canadian Community Health Survey (paired-cycles 2015/2016 and 2017/2018) maternal experiences data for infants born 2012-2018 who received any breastmilk formed the sample (n = 7079). Whether the infant was given a vitamin D supplement (yes/no) and the frequency (daily/almost every day, 1-2/wk, or <1/wk) were surveyed. Weighted data (95% CI) were summarized according to breastfeeding history (exclusive to 6 mo and continuing; partial to 6 mo and continuing; and stopped ≤6 mo). Correlates of supplement adherence were explored using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 87.1% (95% CI: 85.9%, 88.3%) of participants reported giving their infant (≤12 mo) a vitamin D supplement, and of these, 83.3% (95% CI: 81.9%, 84.7%) did so daily/almost every day, 12.4% (95% CI: 11.1%, 13.7%) did so 1-2/wk, and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.6%, 5.0%) did so <1/wk. Lower adjusted odds of adherence were observed among participants reporting: stopped breastfeeding ≤6 mo, lower education or income, recent immigration, and overweight prepregnancy body mass index; higher odds of adherence were observed in the western provinces. Regarding mothers of children >12 mo and breastfed (n = 2312), 58.0% (95% CI: 54.9%, 61.1%) gave a vitamin D supplement daily/almost every day.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to providing a vitamin D supplement to breastfed infants is high in Canada. Nonetheless, we estimate that ∼27% of mothers are nonadherent to daily/almost every day administration of a vitamin D supplement and that adherence declines in children breastfed >12 mo. Further promotion to support uptake of the current guidance may be necessary, particularly for parents of recent immigration or lower socioeconomic status.

Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency among Young South African Infants: A Birth Cohort Study

Early-life vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse child health outcomes, but the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates in infants remains underexplored, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates among young infants in South Africa. This study included 744 infants, aged 6–10 weeks from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a population-based birth cohort. Infants were categorized into distinct categories based on serum 25(OH)D concentration level including deficient (<50 nmol/L), insufficient (50–74 nmol/L), and sufficient (≥75 nmol/L). Using multivariable Tobit and logistic regression models, we examined the correlates of serum 25(OH)D₃ levels. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 81% (95% confidence intervals (CI]) 78–83). Multivariable regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D₃ concentration was independently associated with study site, socioeconomic status, and sex. Birth in winter and breastfeeding were the strongest predictors of lower serum 25(OH)D₃ concentration levels. Compared to non-breastfed children, children breastfed were at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency (AOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.04–3.67) and breastfeeding for more than one month was associated with greater likelihood of vitamin D deficiency (AOR, 5.40; 95% CI, 2.37–12.32) and lower vitamin D concentrations (−16.22 nmol/L; 95% CI, −21.06, −11.39). Vitamin D deficiency in infants is ubiquitous, under-recognised, and strongly associated with season of birth and breastfeeding in this setting. Nutritional interventions with vitamin D supplementation in national health programs in low- and middle-income countries are urgently needed to improve early-life vitamin D status in infants.

Vitamin-D deficiency and its association with breast feeding among children at 1 year of age in an urban community in South India

Context:

High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is reported among healthy infants, children and adolescents. Maternal Vitamin-D deficiency, poor vitamin-D content of breast milk even in Vitamin-D replete mothers, exclusive breastfeeding without Vitamin-D supplementation and inadequate sunlight exposure are important risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency in infants.

Aim:

To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis-D and its relation with breast feeding and childhood illness among healthy infants at 1 year of age.

Settings and Design:

A prospective cohort study was conducted among the infants in an urban community in south India.

Methods and Material:

A total of 495 children were followed up at 1 year of age. Clinical history, anthropometric measurements, and serum blood samples for vitamin-D were obtained. The effects of breastfeeding duration and infections on Vitamin-D status were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results:

The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was 22% in these infants. Univariate analysis showed risk of hypovitaminosis-D in children breast fed for more than 6 months (p 0.02); however, multivariate analysis did not prove an association. Other risk factors analysed were not significantly associated with Hypovitaminosis D.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of hypovitaminosis-D in this study was low compared to previous studies from India. This study emphasizes the issue of hypovitaminosis-D in otherwise normal children. Routine Vitamin-D supplementation for antenatal women and infants may be needed to overcome this public health problem.

Relevé postnatal Rourke 2017

Objectif

Décrire le processus et les données probantes ayant servi à mettre à jour les recommandations en matière de soins préventifs du RPR 2017 afin d’aider les professionnels de soins de première ligne à prendre les décisions sur les manœuvres à prioriser et à mettre en application dans la pratique.

Qualité des données

Nous avons effectué une recherche des publications médicales entre juin 2013 et juin 2016 en ayant recours à la méthodologie GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) pour évaluer rigoureusement les principales études de recherche, et en présence d’un appui substantiel dans les nouvelles publications, nous avons modifié les recommandations.

Message principal

Les changements importants des recommandations en matière de soins préventifs pour les enfants de 5 ans et moins sont l’ajout de la surveillance de l’indice de masse corporelle à compter de 2 ans; des données probantes plus robustes étayant l’introduction d’aliments allergènes sans délai (changement de la qualité de la recommandation de passable à bonne); la recommandation de poser aux parents des questions validées sur les effets de la pauvreté, des données probantes montrant qu’il n’existe aucun niveau sécuritaire d’exposition des enfants au plomb; une recommandation en matière de durée quotidienne du sommeil; la qualité de la recommandation est passée de passable à bonne pour les éléments liés à la prévention et au dépistage des expériences défavorables durant l’enfance, y compris l’évaluation des ecchymoses chez les bébés de moins de 9 mois; et la surveillance de la tension artérielle exclusivement chez les enfants à risque.

Conclusion

Les expositions et les habitudes durant la petite enfance ont des conséquences sur la santé à court et à long terme. Le RPR continue de publier des mises à jour pour veiller à ce que les professionnels de la santé soient équipés pour favoriser la santé et le bien-être tout au long de la vie par l’entremise de soins éclairés par des données probantes aux jeunes enfants.

Rourke Baby Record 2017: Clinical update for preventive care of children up to 5 years of age

OBJECTIVE

To describe the process and evidence used to update preventive care recommendations in the 2017 Rourke Baby Record to assist primary care providers' decisions around which maneuvers to prioritize and implement in practice.

QUALITY OF EVIDENCE

A search of the literature from June 2013 to June 2016 was conducted, using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology to critically appraise primary research studies, and recommendations were changed where there was substantial support from the new literature.

MAIN MESSAGE

The important changes in preventive care recommendations for children up to 5 years of age include the addition of body mass index monitoring as of 2 years of age; stronger evidence to support the introduction of allergenic foods without delay (strength of recommendation change from fair to good); the recommendation to ask validated questions regarding the effects of poverty; evidence showing no safe level of lead exposure in children; the recommendation of a daily sleep duration; the upgrade of recommendation strength from fair to good of items related to the prevention and detection of adverse childhood experiences, including assessment of bruising in babies younger than 9 months; and blood pressure monitoring only for children at risk.

CONCLUSION

Early childhood exposures and habits have short- and long-term health consequences. The Rourke Baby Record will continue to publish updates to ensure that primary care providers are equipped to promote lifelong health and well-being through evidence-informed care in young children.

Breastfeeding to 12 mo and beyond: nutrition outcomes at 3 to 5 y of age

Background

Little is known about nutrition outcomes in preschoolers associated with breastfeeding duration beyond 12 mo of age.

Objective

The aim was to examine the association between total breastfeeding duration and nutrition outcomes at 3 to 5 y of age.

Design

A cross-sectional study in healthy children, ages 3-5 y, recruited from 9 primary care practices in Toronto was conducted through the TARGet Kids! (The Applied Research Group for Kids) research network. Parents completed standardized surveys, including the Nutrition Screening for Every Preschooler (NutriSTEP) used to assess nutrition risk.

Results

A total of 2987 children were included. Ninety-two percent of children were breastfed, and the mean ± SD breastfeeding duration was 11.4 ± 8.4 mo. The prevalence of nutrition risk (score >20) was 17.0%. We examined breastfeeding duration as a continuous variable. With the use of restricted cubic spline modeling, we confirmed a nonlinear relation between breastfeeding duration and NutriSTEP score, dietary intake and eating behavior subscores, and sugar-sweetened beverage and sweet-savory snack consumption. Segmented linear regression was used to examine this nonlinear relation in a piecewise approach. We found a decreasing trend in NutriSTEP score for children who were breastfed for 0-6 mo (β = -0.14; 95% CI: -0.29, 0.004), a significant decrease in NutriSTEP score for children breastfed for 6-12 mo (β = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.07), and no significant change after 12 mo (β = 0.09; 95% CI: -0.07, 0.24) and beyond. The mean ± SD NutriSTEP scores were 17.1 ± 7.4 for no breastfeeding, 15.9 ± 6.5 for breastfeeding >0-6 mo, 13.9 ± 6.2 for >6-12 mo, 13.7 ± 6.3 for >12-18 mo, 14.6 ± 6.7 for >18-24 mo, and 14.3 ± 6.8 for >24-36 mo.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding for ≤12 mo was associated with decreased nutrition risk and healthier eating behaviors and dietary intake at 3-5 y of age. We found insufficient evidence of additional benefit for breastfeeding beyond 12 mo of age. The TARGet Kids! practice-based research network is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01869530.

Vitamin D and the Breastfeeding Infant: Family Medicine Clinicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

BACKGROUND

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Academy of Medicine recommend vitamin D supplementation for breastfeeding infants. However, compliance with this recommendation is poor. Maternal supplementation with vitamin D is a safe and effective alternative to achieving vitamin D sufficiency in breastfeeding infants, and mothers have indicated a preference for self-supplementation over infant supplementation. Research aim: We sought to explore Family Medicine clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin D supplementation recommendations for breastfeeding dyads.

METHODS

Fifty-six Family Medicine clinicians (including faculty physicians, resident physicians, and nurse practitioners/physician assistants) completed an online, anonymous survey regarding their knowledge and practices concerning vitamin D supplementation for breastfeeding infants.

RESULTS

The vast majority of clinicians (92.9%) correctly identified the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2008 recommended dose for vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding infants and estimated recommending vitamin D supplementation of exclusively breastfeeding infants 70.1% of the time. If all options were equivalent, clinicians would prefer to offer maternal or infant supplementation (50%) or maternal supplementation (37.5%) over infant supplementation (12.5%). Most (69.6%) preferred daily over monthly supplementation regimens.

CONCLUSION

Family Medicine clinicians are knowledgeable regarding current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding infants. They are also open to recommending maternal supplementation or offering parents a choice of maternal or infant vitamin supplementation.

Both Mother and Infant Require a Vitamin D Supplement to Ensure That Infants' Vitamin D Status Meets Current Guidelines

We examined the association between maternal vitamin D intake during breastfeeding with their infants’ vitamin D status in infants who did or did not receive vitamin D supplements to determine whether infant supplementation was sufficient. Using plasma from a subset of breastfed infants in the APrON (Alberta Pregnant Outcomes and Nutrition) cohort, vitamin D status was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal and infants’ dietary data were obtained from APrON’s dietary questionnaires. The median maternal vitamin D intake was 665 International Units (IU)/day, while 25% reported intakes below the recommended 400 IU/day. Of the 224 infants in the cohort, 72% were exclusively breastfed, and 90% were receiving vitamin D supplements. Infants’ median 25(OH)D was 96.0 nmol/L (interquartile ranges (IQR) 77.6–116.2), and 25% had 25(OH)D < 75 nmol/L. An adjusted linear regression model showed that, with a 100 IU increase in maternal vitamin D intake, infants’ 25(OH)D increased by 0.9 nmol/L controlling for race, season, mid-pregnancy maternal 25(OH)D, birthweight, and whether the infant received daily vitamin D supplement (β = 0.008, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.002, 0.13). These results suggest that, to ensure infant optimal vitamin D status, not only do infants require a supplement, but women also need to meet current recommended vitamin D intake during breastfeeding.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with urinary tract infection in children

INTRODUCTION

In humans, vitamin D has been shown to play a role in infectious diseases, but its association with acquisition and a complicated course of febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D₃) levels and the risk of first time febrile UTI in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective case-control study included 50 children with first febrile UTI, with no risk factors for UTI, and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy siblings as controls. White blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathormone were measured in all studied children. Vitamin D status was determined by measuring plasma 25(OH)D₃ level. Deficiency was defined as a plasma 25(OH)D₃ level ≤ 25 nmol/l.

RESULTS

Children with UTI had significantly lower mean serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ (10.5 ±2.7 nmol/l) than those of controls (25.9 ±5.6 nmol/l) (p < 0.05). Patients with lower UTI had significantly higher serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ compared to those with acute pyelonephritis (12.4 ±2.59 vs. 8.2 ±3.2 nmol/l; p < 0.001). Mean serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ were significantly lower (p = 0.001) in the female patients compared with males, and this difference was not found within the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that a serum 25(OH)D₃ level of ≤ 25 nmol/l is associated with UTI (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.61-2.82; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D deficiency (≤ 25 nmol/l) was an independent risk factor for UTI in children.