The Agency has recorded three reports of severe hypercalcaemia (excessive calcium levels in the blood) occurring in infants between 2020 and 2021. A phenomenon caused by excess vitamin D.
- In children, vitamin D is essential for bone growth.
- To ensure this growth, vitamin D is prescribed in France from the first days of life to prevent rickets, a disease of growth and ossification.
Following the report of three cases of overdose, ANSES warns parents : babies should not be given too much vitamin D, even in winter.
Serious consequences for the health
Three cases of vitamin D overdose have recently been reported in infants following the intake of food supplements. “An excess of vitamin D can have serious consequences on their health and threaten the vital prognosis of toddlers”, stresses ANSES. “Giving your child too much vitamin D can be just as dangerous as not giving enough,” add public health experts.
Three recommendations
Following its first alert launched in early 2021, ANSES once again reminds parents of the importance of:
– give priority to taking medication rather than taking a food supplement enriched with vitamin D. Medication guarantees clear information in terms of doses, precautions for use, risk of adverse effects and overdose.
– Carefully control the doses given to your child and do not multiply products containing vitamin D.
“In all cases, this intake must only be made on prescription from a health professional”, conclude the scientists.
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