Vitamin D for Babies skulls
Another interesting article from Dr. Weil. I breastfed and gave my baby a daily vitamin because my Doctor told me that Vitamin D does not pass through breastmilk. Make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins while pregnant, and consult your Doctor about your Vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D Deficiency May Soften Infant Skulls
Japanese researchers are reporting a new problem arising from vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. They found that the incidence of softened skulls, called craniotabes, was highest among babies born in April and May and the lowest incidence was among those born in November, suggesting that the condition is influenced by the amount of vitamin D pregnant women synthesize from sun exposure in the four months prior to delivery. Craniotabes usually isn’t regarded as serious, but the Kyoto University Hospital researchers noted that some evidence links the condition with type 1 diabetes, reduced bone mass during childhood, and lowered immunity. They also said that the vitamin D deficiency might persist, especially among breast-fed babies who don’t get supplemental vitamin D (included in infant formula). Their study of 1,120 newborns found that more than half the breast-fed babies with craniotabes had low levels of vitamin D, and some had symptoms of an overactive parathyroid gland, which is consistent with a vitamin D deficiency. The investigators proposed treating all pregnant women with vitamin D, at least until more is learned about the effects of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and infancy.