High-Dose (1200 IU) vs. Standard-Dose (400 IU) until Age 2 Showed Less Internalizing Behaviors at Ages 6 to 8
A recent international investigation has examined the potential effects of high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation on psychiatric symptoms in healthy infants up to the age of 2 years. The study found that children who received a daily 1200-IU oral vitamin D3 supplement had a lower prevalence of clinically significant internalizing behaviors (e.g., symptoms of depression, loneliness, and anxiety) than those who received the standard recommended dose of 400 IU. Interestingly, the authors did not find any differences in externalizing behaviors (e.g., oppositional defiance disorder, conduct disorder, and antisocial personality disorder) between the two groups. The study also found that children from the 400-IU group with maternal 25(OH)D levels less than 30 ng/mL during pregnancy had significantly higher internalizing problem scores than children from the 1200-IU group, regardless of maternal 25(OH)D status. While previous studies have suggested that higher 25(OH)D levels during fetal life and early childhood may lower the risk of childhood psychopathology, this is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the potential impact of high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy infants and up to the age of 2 years on psychiatric symptoms during late preschool and early school age. The authors recommend that their findings be interpreted in context with outcomes related to children’s health related to growth patterns and allergies since lower doses of vitamin D3 were found to be more beneficial during infancy for those conditions.
