Sunshine exposure and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in exclusively breast-fed infants.
The relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations and sunshine exposure in 61 term, exclusively breast-fed infants younger than 6 months of age was investigated. Sunshine exposure was quantitated using a sunshine and clothing diary, which was verified by infant-adapted ultraviolet dosimetry. By multiple regression techniques, infant serum 25-OHD concentrations were significantly related to UV exposure and maternal serum 25-OHD concentrations. Infant 25-OHD concentrations correlated with sunshine exposure in infants whose mothers had low (less than 35 ng/ml) or high (greater than 35 ng/ml) serum concentrations of 25-OHD (r = 0.70, P less than 0.001 and r = 0.53, P = 0.004, respectively). Estimates were made to determine sunshine exposure conditions necessary to maintain serum 25-OHD concentrations above the lower limit of the normal range (11 ng/ml). A conservative estimate would be 30 minutes per week wearing only a diaper or 2 hours a week fully clothed without a hat.
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers; D012279:Rickets / Q000517:prevention & control; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013472:Sunlight; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D002117:Calcitriol