VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION IN BREASTFEEDING WOMEN AND VITAMIN D STATUS IN INFANTS – A REVIEW OF CURRENT CLINICAL STUDIES

Alicja Judzińska; Magdalena Dubaj; Justyna Ignarska; Sabina Kubicz Mzabi; Marlena Kwolek; Julia Osipowska; Bartosz Piech; Kamila Sobczyńska; Magda Terbosh; Emilia Trojanowska

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5598

Authors

Alicja Judzińska University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin (USK1), Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7525-4012
Magdalena Dubaj University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin (USK1), Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4429-2679
Justyna Ignarska University Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Doktora Kazimierza Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0340-8240
Sabina Kubicz Mzabi University Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Doktora Kazimierza Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2788-5538
Marlena Kwolek University Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Doktora Kazimierza Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1428-1103
Julia Osipowska University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin (USK1), Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9024-9908
Bartosz Piech University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin (USK1), Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4621-5226
Kamila Sobczyńska Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Provincial Specialist Hospital in Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0938-1711
Magda Terbosh University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin (USK1), Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3756-3394
Emilia Trojanowska SP ZOZ MSWiA, Grenadierów 3, 20-331 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7331-6624

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5598

Keywords:

Vitamin D Supplementation; Lactating Mothers; Breastfeeding; Infant Vitamin D Status; 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health concern, particularly among breastfed infants, whose vitamin D status depends largely on maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels during pregnancy and lactation. Maternal supplementation has been proposed as a strategy to improve infant vitamin D status.

Objective: This review aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding women on 25(OH)D concentrations in exclusively breastfed infants.

Materials and Methods: A narrative review of randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. Ten studies assessing maternal vitamin D supplementation and its impact on infant 25(OH)D levels were included.

Results: Maternal supplementation increased 25(OH)D levels in both mothers and infants. However, standard doses (400–800 IU/day) were often insufficient to achieve adequate vitamin D status in infants. Higher doses, particularly ≥4000 IU/day, resulted in significant improvements and, in some cases, achieved levels comparable to direct infant supplementation.

Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding women may effectively improve infant vitamin D status, especially at higher doses. However, its efficacy depends on dosage, and further research is needed to determine optimal and safe supplementation strategies.

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