This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and transfer of dietary vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) into breast milk and to the nursing infant during high-dose maternal supplementation (6,000 IU/day) compared with the currently recommended dose of 400 IU/day for mother and 200 IU/day for the breastfeeding infant. Breastfeeding mothers and their babies may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency, even while taking prenatal vitamins. Vitamin D is important for bone formation, immune (infection-fighting) properties of the body, and normal growth and development of breastfeeding infants.A recent study at the Medical University of South Carolina by this research team suggests that when higher doses of dietary vitamin D (up to 4,000 IU/day) are given to a breastfeeding mother, mother's blood levels of circulating vitamin D increase and so does the amount of vitamin D found in her milk. Those infants whose mothers received 4,000 IU/day for up to three months had improved vitamin D status at four months of age. The data also suggest that 6,000 IU/day will result in optimal vitamin D status in both mother and her breastfeeding infant without the need for supplementation in the baby. Up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 have been given safely to nonbreastfeeding adult men and women.A total of 32 mothers and infants will participate in this study.
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