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Blood testing of 365 infants and toddlers coming to Children's for well-care visits found 40 percent with vitamin D levels below those optimal for bone health,
reports Catherine Gordon, MD, MSc, director of Children's Bone Health Program. Twelve percent were frankly deficient,
and a third of these babies had radiographic
evidence of bone loss-including 7.5
percent with rachitic changes. The
strongest risk factors were exclusive
breastfeeding without vitamin D supplementation and (among toddlers)
inadequate milk intake. Of concern, Dr. Gordon says, is that these deficiencies might well have been missed in routine clinical practice. (Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, June)
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