HSE Ireland to implement vitamin D campaign

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is to finally implement a policy this year stating that all infants (0-12 months) should be given a daily vitamin D supplement of 5 micrograms (5 µg) vitamin D3 by their parents/guardians, in keeping with Depart­ment of Health policy and Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recommendations.

The FSAI’s 2007 report Recommendations for a National Policy on Vitamin D Supplementation for infants in Ireland stated that due to Ireland’s northerly latitude, very little UVB light reaches the earth’s surface resulting in reduced production of vitamin D, especially in winter, and this in conjunction with low dietary intakes is compromising the vitamin D status of all groups of the population living in Ireland.

It concluded that vitamin D supplementation was necessary in infants for optimal health and to protect against rickets.

When implementing the policy the HSE will conduct a public awareness campaign targeting parents/guardians of infants (0-12 months) and pregnant women as well as communicating with doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and dieticians.

source : http://www.imn.ie/index.php/current-issue/news/3213-hse-to-implement-vitamin-d-policy