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Hi, I have been asked to write and article about Vit D deficiency and the newborn following reports of a nipple cream containing Vit D which can be applied to the nipples to supplement the newborn during breastfeeding. I have completed a search on the CINHAL database and come across 13 full text articles which raise a number of points. 1. Vitamin D deficiency exisits in pregnancy and in the newborn especially in those women with dark skin and I found a particular study which had been completed in Iran. There has also been concern expressed in Australia with regard to Muslim women in traditional dress. 2. There is no vitamin D in breastmilk 3. In the U.S paediatricians only recommend vit D supplementation from 2months of age and in other countries it has been recommended from 1 month of age. 4. it is also suggested that vit D deficiency in pregnancy affects brain development in the fetus which cannot be repaired with supplementation after birth and so it was the incidence of mental health issues could be linked to Vit D deficiency during pregnancy. 5. other evidence suggests that supplementation success is dependent on the womans ability to uptake the supplement and it is variable and difficult to suggest what the dosage should be. One medical opnion I have been given is that a perso only needs 3mins of sun exposure a day but I wondered if anyone knows of any documented evidence which supports this idea. I'd be grateful to know if anyone else knows of any other research out there. many thanks Pam Harnden -- Pam Harnden http://pamdh.wordpress.com http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Young-Mums-and-Maori-Antenatal-Classes/180461813792?ref=sgm http://pamdh.blip.tv/ http://midwifeblogger.blogspot.com http://www.youtube.com/Midwifepam http://nzmidwiferypractisingreflection.blogspot.com http://midwifepam.wikispaces.com http://www.google.com/profiles/Pam.Harnden