AAP Guidelines on Rickets and Vitamin D Supplementation

All healthy infants within the first two months of life, children, and adolescents should receive vitamin D supplementation to prevent rickets and vitamin D deficiency, according to a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency: New Guidelines for Vitamin D Intake" appears in the April 2003 issue of Pediatrics and is available online at www.aap.org/policy/s010116.html.

A supplement of 200 IU per day of vitamin D is suggested for the following:

* All breastfed infants unless they are weaned to at least 500 mL per day...