Which zinc supplementation dose is recommended to prevent deficiency in a 1-month-old infant fed human milk?

Which zinc supplementation dose is recommended to prevent deficiency in a 1-month-old infant fed human milk?

• A. 100 IU vitamin D per day
• B. 200 IU vitamin D per day
• C. 300 IU vitamin D per day
• D. 400 IU vitamin D per day

Answer: (D)

Vitamin D supplementation is needed for breastfed infants to prevent deficiency because human milk provides only small amounts of vitamin D. The standard preventive dose is 400 IU of vitamin D daily, started soon after birth and continued through the first year of life unless the infant is consuming enough vitamin D–fortified formula (about 1 liter per day). This amount meets the infant’s daily vitamin D requirement and helps prevent rickets and other deficiency issues. Lower doses would not reliably meet the recommended intake, so they’re not considered sufficient for prevention.

Vitamin D supplementation is needed for breastfed infants to prevent deficiency because human milk provides only small amounts of vitamin D. The standard preventive dose is 400 IU of vitamin D daily, started soon after birth and continued through the first year of life unless the infant is consuming enough vitamin D–fortified formula (about 1 liter per day). This amount meets the infant’s daily vitamin D requirement and helps prevent rickets and other deficiency issues. Lower doses would not reliably meet the recommended intake, so they’re not considered sufficient for prevention.