Healthy bone growth is a necessity for maintaining homeostasis in the human body.  The skeletal system protects, supports, and aids movement of the body.  However, humans are not born with healthy, hard bones.  As infants, we are born with cartilage and soft bones in the place of many of our adult bones.  The bones grow and harden as the infant grows older.  They do this through the synthesis of vitamin D.

As adults, most of the vitamin D that is synthesized comes from direct sunlight.  This is why doctors recommended we get fifteen minutes of sun exposure a day.  On the other hand, infants cannot withstand much direct sunlight.  They often require supplements of vitamin D in order to help the growth of healthy bones.  So, what is a healthy amount of vitamin D for an infant?

A study was conducted by School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University along with the Department of Pediatrics to find the perfect amount of vitamin D supplement needed for the growth of healthy bone.  Many countries have recommended amounts, but all the amounts differ.  The study consisted of132 infants.  The infants were randomly assigned to groups receiving different doses of vitamin D ranging from 400 IU per day to 1600 IU per day.  This was done over a 12 month period.

The infants’ growth was measured over the course of these 12 months.  However, at 3 months, the infants who received more than 400 IU per day showed no difference in growth than the ones receiving 400 IU.  The study concluded that infants only need 400 IU of vitamin D per day in order to grow healthy. The extra amounts do not provide any extra help to the infants.

The study has set a base of knowledge for future and current parents.  This knowledge will ease the parents’ minds while also growing healthy bones in their children.  Infants can still grow healthy bones without the extra vitamin D.  Therefore, this study disproved the statement “more is better” when it comes to the growth of bones in our little ones.

McGill University (2013, April 30). The right amount of vitamin D for babies: 400 IU daily dose for suggested for infants under one year of age. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2013/04/130430194039.htm