[Vitamin D in pediatrics, pregnancy and lactation].

The main source of vitamin D is produced by the exposure of sunlight on the skin. It has been proven that the deficit is frequent and also occurs in pregnant women. Possible consequences may be preeclampsia and others. The level of vitamin D in breast milk depends on the level of the mother, so that deficient mothers produce milk with low concentration. Possible consequences for the baby are rickets and seizures, but also lower respiratory tract infections or risk of type 1 diabetes. Various suggestions have been published. For pregnancy and lactation the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggests 600 international units (IU)/day for the mother, whereas the Endocrine Society considers 1500- 2000 IU/day. The Federación Argentina de Sociedades de Endocrinología suggests 800-1200 IU/day. The new suggestion of the IOM and the American Academy of Pediatrics for children between birth and one year is 400 IU/day, while it is 600 IU/day between 1 and 18 years.