Abstract
Despite the ability of infants to synthesize vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, nutritional rickets occasionally develops in infants even in areas with perennially sunny climates. In San Diego, a 1-year-old breast-fed infant presented with classic signs of nutritional rickets. Unsupplemented breast milk, limited exposure to sunlight, and darkly pigmented skin were predisposing factors. Because of this occurrence, we conducted a survey of vitamin supplementation practices among pediatricians in San Diego. Twenty-nine percent of 160 respondents do not prescribe vitamin D supplements for breast-fed infants. Those in practice less than ten years were even less likely to prescribe a vitamin supplement compared with their older colleagues. The patient report, coupled with a literature review, suggest the need for vitamin D supplementation for all nursing infants.
Keywords
RicketsVitamin D and neurologyMedicineSun exposureSunlightVitaminBreast milkPediatricsvitamin D deficiencyEndocrinologyDermatologyBiology
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1987
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 141
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1060-1060
- Citations
- 38
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Ivan Hayward
(1987).
Nutritional Rickets in San Diego.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
, 141
(10)
, 1060-1060.
https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1987.04460100038018
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1001/archpedi.1987.04460100038018