Health professionals have been recommending fathers and mothers for years (many years in reality) make life out of home, that they walk, that they play outdoors, that they walk more, etc., so that the children make more life abroad, they can have more free play, and in passing, have optimal levels of vitamin D (the vitamin we synthesize by having the skin in "contact" with sunlight).
In spite of this, and because times have changed and also our customs, it has been seen that there are many Spanish babies who have vitamin D deficiency and that is why a few years ago the recommendation was made at the state level to supplement new babies born with vitamin D, at least up to 12 months of age.
Currently, most babies are taking this supplement, but there are those who do not do so because the vitamin D supplement is associated with infant colic: Is it true that it can happen? What can be done then?
Why does my baby need vitamin D?
This is one of the questions asked by many parents who have more than one child. How is it possible that babies should now be given vitamin D every day, if with older siblings nobody recommended that they do so.
The answer is clear: because at that time it was thought that it was enough to recommend going out every day, and seeing that it was not so, it was decided to start the supplementation. It is not that babies now do not need it (although there will be cases where it is not necessary), but that those who were babies a few years ago, now older children, probably would have done well.
But I will explain why: although all the consequences of the vitamin D deficit are not yet known (new data are discovered every so often), a few are known that make it advisable that a baby does not have vitamin D deficiencies:
- Rickets risk: the lack of vitamin D causes the bones to be weak and soft.
- Caries risk: Although the relationship is still unclear, there are several studies that show that there are more cavities when vitamin D levels are lower.
- Risk of development involvement: The pregnant woman's vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a higher risk of the baby having language development difficulties. There are also studies that are beginning to associate it with autism spectrum disorder.
- Lung Disease Risk: There seems to be an increased risk of bronchiolitis and asthma.
- Risk of cardiovascular diseases: Children have an increased risk of heart disease if they have low levels of vitamin D.
What is the recommendation then?
An article published last June 2016 in the journal Evidences in Pediatrics analyzed the evidence and recommendations, and concluded the following:
Until new data becomes available, it seems appropriate that the recommendations for using vitamin D supplements at doses of 400 IU / day in children of high-risk groups, such as infants under two years of age, infants born prematurely, children who follow They live in Africa, Asia or the Middle East or dark-skinned children living in regions with poor sunlight.
In any case, the current recommendation in Spain is based on the previous evidence and is established as follows:
- Breastfed babies under one year of age receive ** a supplement of 400 IU / day of vitamin D **. In case they end up drinking artificial milk they will continue with it until they take 1 liter daily of adapted formula enriched with vitamin D.
- Babies who drink milk formula enriched with vitamin D, but do not reach the daily liter, will receive 400 IU / day until they reach 1 year.
- Children over one year of age or adolescents who do not have risk factors for vitamin D deficiency (poor nutrition, dark skin, poor exposure to the sun due to custom or overcooked clothing, repeated use of sunscreen with a factor greater than 8, diseases chronic or treatments that alter the synthesis of vitamin D) and do not get 400 IU / day of vitamin D with food (a serving of cereals contains 40 IU, an egg yolk 40 IU, a liter of enriched milk) should also receive a supplement of 400 IU / day.
- Premature children under one year of corrected age should take 200 IU / kg / day up to a maximum of 400 IU / day.
Does vitamin D produce colic?
Although they are a minority, there are several mothers who have explained to me that they have the feeling that giving vitamin D to the baby increases episodes of colic, that is, the inconsolable crying of the baby. For this reason, many of them have decided to stop giving it on their own initiative or at the indication of a professional (I have heard of pediatricians and physiotherapists who recommend it), appreciating some improvement after carrying out such action.
Although I have been looking for evidence in this regard, I have not been able to find studies that speak of this association. Observing the data sheet of the two most common preparations in Spain, this symptom is not explained either. In the section dedicated to the side effects of "Vitamin D3 Kern Pharma 2,000 IU / ml oral solution" we read:
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. No adverse reactions usually occur at the usual doses. Excessive administration of vitamin D, as well as acute or administered overdose for a long period of time, can cause severe toxicity due to hypercalcemia. Hypercalciuria, anorexia (lack of appetite), headache (headache), vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Infants who receive excessive amounts of vitamin D may have gastrointestinal discomfort, bone fragility and growth retardation.
Yes, they talk about gastrointestinal discomfort, but in case of excessive quantities.
For its part, in the data sheet of "DELTIUS 10,000 IU / ml oral drops in solution" we read the following:
Like any other medication, Deltius can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Possible side effects associated with the use of Deltius can be:
Uncommon (affects 1 in 100 people): Excess calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia); Excess calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria). Rare (affects 1 in 1000 people): Skin rash (rash or rash); Itching (itching); Urticaria. >>
In fact, in the case of the latter I am much more surprised that it is associated with colic of the infant because its composition is cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and olive oil, and in babies only two drops are administered orally, every 24 hours.
"But it is really mine that causes colic"
Although as I say there is no data that such an association exists, and it seems likely that it is a sensation of the parents, who blame the usual colic of babies (before giving vitamin D babies already had colic in the first weeks and months of life ) to the consumption of this vitamin, there are parents who have seen improvement in their babies when withdrawing it, when they stop giving it to the baby.
This fact is not very significant, in fact, because most parents do not carry out that single strategy, but they try it and with many more things: they start to take it more in their arms for the day, they give them massages, they use a baby carrier , they give him some probiotic, etc., and in the end it is difficult to know what is the reason for them to cry less, if having left vitamin D, massages, portage, or a little of everything.
And if it were true, what would be the solution?
Let's say you suspect relationship between vitamin D and baby colic. Ideally, discuss it with the pediatrician, who will probably indicate withdrawing it a few days to see if there is improvement, and if there is, give it again to see if the tears increase again.
If this happens, you can reduce the dose until you find the one in which the baby is well: from Kern's preparation 6 drops are recommended daily, so you could start with one drop a day and increase to see how it feels to the baby; In the case of giving Deltius, which is 2 drops a day, it can only be decreased to 1 drop.
Another option is, if mom breastfeeds the baby, get vitamin D through breast milk, supplementing the mother's diet. In 2015, a study showed that women who take a vitamin D supplement of 6,400 IU per day They manage to meet the requirements of their breastfed babies, being a valid alternative to the 400 IU supplement recommended for babies.
Photos | iStock
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