Vitamin D deficiencies are becoming more common among the nation's youngest members, with long-term effects such as weakened immune system that is prone to disease or broken bones.

Two out of five children in the United States between the ages of 8 months and 2 years who took part in a 380-patient study at the Children's Hospital in Boston had less than optimal blood levels of vitamin D. Risk factors include the lack of fortified milk in the diet, forgoing daily multiple viatmins, and being overweight.

The lead researcher, Catherine Gordon, of Children's Hospital in Boston said that the 40 percent deficiency rate is much higher than expected in a county where vitamin-fortified milk is readily available. Vitamin D, made naturally when sunlight hits the skin, is used to fortify a variety of foods. It is important for preventing various chronic diseases and is a key in maintaining strong bones. It has also been linked with a lower risk of cancer, kidney disease, and artery disease.

Because of the initial lack of symptoms, Gordon decided to call it a "silent disease." "What was striking to us was how many infants were vitamin D deficient but they are asymptomatic," Gordon said in an interview. There were only one out of three children in this study that showed signs of soft and weakened bones characteristics of a dangerous condition known as rickets. There were 13 children that had symptoms of demineralization, where lack of vitamin D causes the minerals to be released from the bones.

Sometimes, children that have a Vitamin D deficiency have easily fractured bones or have bowed legs. They may also appear shaky, tired, or can suffer from seizures in severe cases. Children that are overweight were found to be prone to vitamin D deficiency. This could be because vitamin D dissolves into the fat, stated Gordon. One disease that is linked to this deficiency is Diabetes.

Gordon's findings complemented previous research she did on teens in 2004 that found that a similar percentage with the vitamin D deficiency. In the 2004 study, exposure to sun and soda consumption were factor, and could be reversed during the summer. Also in this study, the sun exposure did not have an influence on younger children's risk, perhaps because they were often protected and covered against exposure to the sun's rays.

Breast-fed infants were also at risk for vitamin D deficiency because breast milk is considered the perfect food but it lacks vitamin D. However, the study found that 6 percent of he children that were fed fortified formulas also were vitamin D deficient. The researchers said that this raised questions about whether the fortification was sufficient.

Gordon's team concludes, "The current findings support recommendations advocating for vitamin D supplementation for all young children." This can be done easily with either liquid or chewable multi-vitamins.

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