Question:

Do children with celiac have a tendency to have Vitamin D deficiencies? Other than a multi-vitamin, what do you recommend to boost vitamin D levels?

From,

Amy

Answer:

Yes. Children who have been formally diagnosed with celiac disease are at increased risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is commonly caused by malabsorption or decreased intake of dairy products if lactose intolerance is present. Child formulated multivitamins tend to contain 400 IU of vitamin D3, which do not meet current guidelines for most children.

Every child diagnosed with celiac disease should have a vitamin D 25-0H level checked. Appropriate supplementation is based on this result.

Vitamin D is naturally found in fatty fish, fish oils, and egg yolk. Other products such as milk, yogurt, orange juice and margarine may be fortified with vitamin D. Please refer to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies website for the updated Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Autodore, RD, CSP, LDN
Pediatric Nutrition Specialist III
Celiac Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia