Vitamin D clarification

Thank you for shedding light in Tuesday’s editorial, “Time For More Vitamin D,” on revised recommendations for vitamin D for children and adults. It is an important health issue affecting both children and adults in Maine, especially as the daylight becomes less during the fall and winter. The editorial, unfortunately, attributed inaccurate information to me.

It is my view that the new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, that children receive 400 international units of the vitamin, are reasonable for young children. Adults may need 1,000 IU per day, but small children should receive about 400 IU per day. Four 8-ounce glasses of milk per day provide 400 IU vitamin D. As always, parents should check with a pediatrician about the right vitamin supplements for their children.

Susan Sullivan

University of Maine

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