Rethinking Vitamin D Intake in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Researchers at John’s Hopkins University have completed a study that shows that the current Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) recommendations for vitamin D intake in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be dangerously low. The current CFF recommendation is for 50,000 IU per week, but the researchers found that more than half of the children studied had low levels of vitamin D in their blood even after consuming two to three times that amount. Low levels of vitamin D can cause bone loss in people of any age, but children who are still growing are especially at risk for complications. The researchers say that they do not yet know how much the vitamin D intake should be, but they are certain that 50,000IU is too low. For now, the Hopkins researchers are recommending that all people with CF have their vitamin D levels checked at least once a year and adjust their vitamin D intake accordingly.

Foods high in vitamin D