Vitamin D levels in Malawian infants from birth to 24 months. Issue 3 (7th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amukele, Timothy K; Soko, Dean; Katundu, Pauline; Kamanga, Melvin; Sun, Jin; Kumwenda, Newton I; Taha, Taha E
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 98:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2012-12-07
• Subjects: Vitamin D -- Children -- Maternal -- Africa -- Breast milk; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : We measured longitudinal levels of vitamin D in unsupplemented Malawian infants at 0 (birth), 2, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months of age. Matched maternal plasma and breast milk vitamin D2 and D3 levels were also measured at delivery and 2 months postpartum. Vitamin D was measured using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Vitamin D3 levels in children were 36% of adult levels at birth, 60% of adult levels at age 2 months, and at par with adult levels by 12 months of age. This adult-equivalent level is subsequently maintained through age 24 months and consisted of a 98% molar ratio of vitamin D3 . Vitamin D levels in breast milk were below the limit of detection, 0.1 ng/ml. Breast milk of unsupplemented Malawian mothers is a poor source of vitamin D.