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Vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of bone and muscle tissue and for strengthening the immune system. In winter, lack of exposure to sunlight can cause nutritional deficiencies, especially in the elderly, newborns, infants, pregnant women and postmenopausal women.
Different nutritional needs depending on age
According to the National Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health (ANSES), the population nutritional reference (RNP) for vitamin D is:
- 10 mcg per day for an infant aged 0 to 1 year;
- 15 mcg per day for everyone over 1 year old.
This RNP was defined by considering only dietary intake of vitamin D and not the contribution of sunlight.
In newborns and infants, a population particularly sensitive to vitamin D deficiency, nutritional supplementation is required to ensure satisfactory status and prevent rickets.
In France, dietary intake is generally below recommendations. In fact, according to the Inca-3 study, the average dietary intake of vitamin D is estimated at 5.2 mcg per day for children aged 1 to 3 years, 2.6 mcg per day for 4-10 years and 2.9 mcg per day µg per day for 11–17 years estimated 3.1 µg per day for 18 to 79 year olds.
Vitamin D overdose in infants: what are the risks and how can they be prevented?
Excess vitamin D can have serious consequences for the health of infants and jeopardize their vital prognosis. ANSES has already reported several cases of overdose following ingestion of vitamin D-enriched supplements, resulting in severe hypercalcemia.
To prevent these risks, the following is recommended:
- prefer taking vitamin D in the form of medication rather than dietary supplements;
- Control the doses administered, especially the number of drops.
- Do not increase consumption of products containing vitamin D.
The video loop “The Public Health Minute”, proposed by the Health and Social Education Committee of the French Pharmacy (Cespharm) at the beginning of the year, summarizes the prevention themes linked to this public health issue. As a reminder: Vitamin D supplementation should only be taken with a doctor’s prescription.
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