Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand: a consensus statement

Vitamin D deficiency has re-emerged as a significant paediatric health issue, with complications including hypocalcaemic seizures, rickets, limb pain and fracture.A major risk factor for infants is maternal vitamin D deficiency. For older infants and children, risk factors include dark skin colour, cultural practices, prolonged breastfeeding, restricted sun exposure and certain medical conditions.To prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants, pregnant women, especially those who are dark-skinned or veiled, should be screened and treated for vitamin D deficiency, and breastfed infants of dark-skinned or veiled women should be supplemented with vitamin D for the first 12 months of life.Regular sunlight exposure can prevent vitamin D deficiency, but the safe exposure time for children is unknown.To prevent vitamin D deficiency, at-risk children should receive 400 lU vitamin D daily; if compliance is poor, an annual dose of 150 000 lU may be considered.Treatment of vitamin D deficiency involves giving ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol for 3 months (1000 IU/day if 12 months of age).High-dose bolus therapy (300 000-500 000 IU) should be considered for children over 12 months of age if compliance or absorption issues are suspected.