Counseling about vitamin D supplementation for infants: results of a survey of pediatric and family medicine physicians in Connecticut.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is essential to the health of children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently updated its recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. The current level of vitamin D counseling for infants by family medicine physicians and pediatricians in Connecticut is unknown.


METHODS
Some 841 self-administered surveys were sent to pediatric primary care providers in Connecticut to evaluate the frequency of counseling regarding vitamin D supplementation for six- to 12-month old children. Other minerals and age groups were included in the survey to prevent bias. The response rate was 34.8%.


RESULTS
Pediatricians reported higher levels (88.6%) of counseling regularly about vitamin D for infants compared to family medicine physicians (52.3%). Linear regression analysis indicated that awareness and perceived importance of vitamin D recommendations predict the frequency of vitamin D counseling regardless of specialty.


CONCLUSIONS
Family medicine physicians in Connecticut need to increase their awareness and counseling of vitamin D supplementation for infants.
Silk
Hugh
H
Department of Family Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Hahnemann Family Health Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. hughsilk@yahoo.com
Thiede
Sara
S
Trojian
Tom
T
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003237:Connecticut; D003376:Counseling; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010372:Pediatrics; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014807:Vitamin D