Young
children who drink cow’s milk increase their stores of vitamin D, but decrease
their iron levels. According to the study, “The Relationship Between Cow’s Milk and Stores of Vitamin D and Iron in Early Childhood,” in the January 2013 issue
of Pediatrics (published online Dec. 17, 2012), two cups of cow’s milk per day
is sufficient to maintain adequate vitamin D levels for most children, while
also maintaining sufficient iron stores. Researchers looked at more than 1,300
children aged 2 to 5, assessing the amount of milk they drank per day as well as
vitamin D and iron supplementation, time spent outdoors, skin pigmentation,
body
mass
index and bottle use, all of which can modify the
effects of milk consumption on vitamin D and iron levels. Blood samples were
taken from the children to determine these levels. The authors found there is a
trade-off for milk consumption in this age group: It raises vitamin D stores but lessens iron
stores. They concluded that two cups of milk per day is sufficient to maintain
adequate vitamin D levels in most children, while having minimal impact on iron
stores. The authors also noted that vitamin D supplementation is important for
certain children based on the season, their skin pigmentation, and amount of
time spent playing outdoors.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary
care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical
specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children,
adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.
