Paris (AFP)
The Medicines Agency (ANSM) warned on Wednesday against "the risk of overdose associated with the administration of vitamin D-based food supplements in children" and recommends giving preference to drugs in drops.
"Cases of vitamin D overdose have recently been reported in young children following the intake of food supplements fortified with vitamin D", sometimes "requiring hospitalizations in previously healthy infants", warns the National Agency of drug safety in a statement.
These cases are manifested by hypercalcemia (excessive calcium levels in the blood) which can have serious consequences, such as kidney damage due to the deposition of calcium in the kidney, she points out.
"To prevent this risk", the health authority asks "health professionals and parents to give priority to drugs" (Adrigyl, Deltius or ZymaD) "over food supplements", to "control the doses administered" by checking the number of drops swallowed, and "do not multiply products containing vitamin D".
Indeed, food supplements, sometimes preferred because of the preservatives or essential oils that the drugs can contain, can present particularly high doses of vitamin D (up to 10,000 international units - or IU - per drop) and the "level of 'requirement' for their ingredients and their manufacture is less than for drugs.
Vitamin D supplementation is recommended in France "from the first days of life" and "throughout the phase of growth and bone mineralization, that is to say up to 18 years", in order to prevent rickets, recalls the ANSM.
An update of national recommendations for vitamin D doses for children is currently underway.
These will align with European recommendations, namely 400 IU per day from 0 to 18 years old in healthy children without risk factors, and 800 IU per day from 0 to 18 years old in children with risk factor, adds the health agency.
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