Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, in particular by promoting the consolidation of bones and the proper mineralization of teeth.
This is why in France, vitamin D supplementation is recommended for infants from the first days of life, especially if they are exclusively breastfed.
This reduces the risk of rickets, a disease of growth and ossification.
However, following several reports between 2020 and 2021, ANSES had already pointed out the consequences linked to excessive administration of vitamin D in infants and young children.
This is because too much vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia (a high level of calcium in the blood), which can cause damage to the kidneys and other organs.
Several symptoms are also associated with it, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever, and even heart problems.
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Misuse of dietary supplements
In its new report, which has just been published, ANSES specifies that the three new cases of chronic vitamin D poisoning in infants are due to the misuse of food supplements containing the famous vitamin.
The babies had to be hospitalized because they consumed food supplements normally not recommended for children under seven years old, and for which the dosage indicated on the leaflet is inadequate.
The report is an opportunity to remind health professionals, but especially young parents, of the recommendations concerning vitamin D intake in infants.
These indications aim to raise awareness of the frequent errors in the use of medicines or food supplements that are the cause of such overdoses.
ANSES recommends, among other things, scrupulously respecting the doses prescribed by the pediatrician and not giving vitamin D supplements to your child without medical advice.
It is also a question of favoring drugs recommended by pediatricians over the counter food supplements because they "
guarantee clear information in terms of doses, precautions for use, risk of adverse effects and overdose
", specifies the 'Anses.
Another mistake to avoid is the multiplication of products containing vitamin D which can lead to exceeding the tolerated thresholds.
In 2021, ANSES recommended daily supplementation of 400 IU per day (i.e. 10 micrograms per day) for infants under 6 months.
In its 2022 update, the French Society of Pediatrics specifies that this maximum daily dose, in the form of vitamin D2 or D3, must be between 400 and 800 IU per day (between 10 and 20 micrograms per day) for new -born up to 2 years old.
In general, it is important to consult your pediatrician before giving a product to your child and to always check the labeling and dosage of the product in question.
Following these precautions should limit the risk of poisoning and other user errors.
