title: Vitamin D-fortified milk achieves the targeted serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration without affecting that of parathyroid hormone in New Zealand toddlers.
abstract: For young children, the level of vitamin D required to ensure that most achieve targeted serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] ≥50 nmol/L has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D-fortified milk on serum 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and to examine the dose-response relationship between vitamin D intake from study milks and serum 25(OH)D concentrations in healthy toddlers aged 12-20 mo living in Dunedin, New Zealand (latitude 46°S). Data from a 20-wk, partially blinded, randomized trial that investigated the effect of providing red meat or fortified toddler milk on the iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin D status in young New Zealand children (n = 181; mean age 17 mo) were used. Adherence to the intervention was assessed by 7-d weighed diaries at wk 2, 7, 11, 15, and 19. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured at baseline and wk 20. Mean vitamin D intake provided by fortified milk was 3.7 μg/d (range, 0-10.4 μg/d). After 20 wk, serum 25(OH)D concentrations but not PTH were significantly different in the milk groups. The prevalence of having a serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L remained relatively unchanged at 43% in the meat group, whereas it significantly decreased to between 11 and 15% in those consuming fortified study milk. In New Zealand, vitamin D intake in young children is minimal. Our findings indicate that habitual consumption of vitamin D-fortified milk providing a mean intake of nearly 4 μg/d was effective in achieving adequate year-round serum 25(OH)D for most children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. lisa.houghton@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Ewa A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Szymlek-Gay
authors.forename: Anne-Louise M
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Elaine L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D015930:Diet Records; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D002112:Calcifediol