Use of vitamin D supplements during infancy in an international feeding trial
Authors: Lehtonen Eveliina , Ormisson Anne , Nucci Anita , Cuthbertson David , Sorkio Susa , Hyytinen Mila , Alahuhta Kirsi , Berseth Carol , Salonen Marja , Taback Shayne , Franciscus Margaret , González-Frutos Teba , E Korhonen Tuuli , L Lawson Margaret , J Becker Dorothy , P Krischer Jeffrey , Knip Mikael , M Virtanen Suvi , Mandrup-Poulsen Thomas , Arjas Elias , Lernmark Åke , Schmidt Barbara , Krischer Jeffrey P. , Åkerblom Hans K. , Hyytinen Mila , Knip Mikael , Koski Katriina , Koski Matti , Pajakkala Eeva , Salonen Marja , Cuthbertson David , Krischer Jeffrey P. , Shanker Linda , Bradley Brenda , Dosch Hans-Michael , Dupré John , Fraser William , Lawson Margaret , Mahon Jeffrey L. , Sermer Mathew , Taback Shayne P. , Becker Dorothy , Franciscus Margaret , Nucci Anita , Palmer Jerry , Pekkala Minna , Virtanen Suvi M. , Catteau Jacki , Howard Neville , Crock Patricia , Craig Maria , Clarson Cheril L. , Bere Lynda , Thompson David , Metzger Daniel , Marshall Colleen , Kwan Jennifer , Stephure David K. , Pacaud Daniele , Schwarz Wendy , Girgis Rose , Thompson Marilyn , Taback Shayne P. , Catte Daniel , Lawson Margaret L. , Bradley Brenda , Daneman Denis , Sermer Mathew , Martin Mary-Jean , Morin Valérie , Frenette Lyne , Ferland Suzanne , Sanderson Susan , Heath Kathy , Huot Céline , Gonthier Monique , Thibeault Maryse , Legault Laurent , Laforte Diane , Cummings Elizabeth A. , Scott Karen , Bridger Tracey , Crummell Cheryl , Houlden Robyn , Breen Adriana , Carson George , Kelly Sheila , Sankaran Koravangattu , Penner Marie , White Richard A. , King Nancy , Popkin James , Robson Laurie , Al Taji Eva , Aldhoon Irena , Mendlova Pavla , Vavrinec Jan , Vosahlo Jan , Brazdova Ludmila , Venhacova Jitrenka , Venhacova Petra , Cipra Adam , Tomsikova Zdenka , Krckova Petra , Gogelova Pavla , Einberg Ülle , Riikjärv Mall-Anne , Ormisson Anne , Tillmann Vallo , Kleemola Päivi , Parkkola Anna , Suomalainen Heli , Järvenpää Anna-Liisa , Hämälainen Anu-Maaria , Haavisto Hannu , Tenhola Sirpa , Lautala Pentti , Salonen Pia , Aspholm Susanna , Siljander Heli , Holm Carita , Ylitalo Samuli , Lounamaa Raisa , Nuuja Anja , Talvitie Timo , Lindström Kaija , Huopio Hanna , Pesola Jouni , Veijola Riitta , Tapanainen Päivi , Alar Abram , Korpela Paavo , Käär Marja-Liisa , Mustila Taina , Virransalo Ritva , Nykänen Päivi , Aschemeier Bärbel , Danne Thomas , Kordonouri Olga , Krikovszky Dóra , Madácsy László , Khazrai Yeganeh Manon , Maddaloni Ernesto , Pozzilli Paolo , Mannu Carla , Songini Marco , de Beaufort Carine , Schierloh Ulrike , Bruining Jan , Bisschoff Margriet , Basiak Aleksander , Wasikowa Renata , Ciechanowska Marta , Deja Grazyna , Jarosz-Chobot Przemyslawa , Szadkowska Agnieszka , Cypryk Katarzyna , Zawodniak-Szalapska Malgorzata , Castano Luis , Gonzalez Frutos Teba , Oyarzabal Mirentxu , Serrano-Ríos Manuel , Martínez-Larrad María Teresa , Hawkins Federico Gustavo , Rodriguez Arnau Dolores , Ludvigsson Johnny , Smolinska Konefal Malgorzata , Hanas Ragnar , Lindblad Bengt , Nilsson Nils-Osten , Fors Hans , Nordwall Maria , Lindh Agne , Edenwall Hans , Aman Jan , Johansson Calle , Gadient Margrit , Schoenle Eugen , Becker Dorothy , Daftary Ashi , Franciscus Margaret , Gilmour Carol , Palmer Jerry , Taculad Rachel , Tanner-Blasiar Marilyn , White Neil , Devaskar Uday , Horowitz Heather , Rogers Lisa , Colon Roxana , Frazer Teresa , Torres Jose , Goland Robin , Greenberg Ellen , Nelson Maudene , Schachner Holly , Softness Barney , Ilonen Jorma , Trucco Massimo , Nichol Lynn , Savilahti Erkki , Härkönen Taina , Knip Mikael , Vaarala Outi , Luopajärvi Kristiina , Dosch Hans-Michael 
Published: June 2013

Objective

To examine the use of vitamin D supplements during infancy among the participants in an international infant feeding trial.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

Information about vitamin D supplementation was collected through a validated FFQ at the age of 2 weeks and monthly between the ages of 1 month and 6 months.

Subjects

Infants (n 2159) with a biological family member affected by type 1 diabetes and with increased human leucocyte antigen-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes from twelve European countries, the USA, Canada and Australia.

Results

Daily use of vitamin D supplements was common during the first 6 months of life in Northern and Central Europe (>80 % of the infants), with somewhat lower rates observed in Southern Europe (>60 %). In Canada, vitamin D supplementation was more common among exclusively breast-fed than other infants (e.g. 71 % v. 44 % at 6 months of age). Less than 2 % of infants in the USA and Australia received any vitamin D supplementation. Higher gestational age, older maternal age and longer maternal education were study-wide associated with greater use of vitamin D supplements.

Conclusions

Most of the infants received vitamin D supplements during the first 6 months of life in the European countries, whereas in Canada only half and in the USA and Australia very few were given supplementation.