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Guideline source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Literature search described? No
Evidence rating system used? No
Published source: Pediatrics, November 2008 (correction published in January 2009 issue)
Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/122/5/1142
Coverage of guidelines from other organizations does not imply endorsement by AFP or the AAFP.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has doubled the recommended intake of vitamin D to 400 IU per day for infants, children, and adolescents.
Because levels of sunlight exposure adequate for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D may increase the risk of skin cancer, and because natural dietary sources of vitamin D are limited, the new recommendations include all infants, including those who are exclusively breastfed, and older children and adolescents.
Historically, the main source of vitamin D has been via synthesis from cholesterol after exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Full-body exposure for 10 to 15 minutes during the summer will generate 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 in adults with light skin pigmentation; persons with darker skin pigmentation require five to 10 times more...