WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration of 20 ng/mL meets the requirements of at least 97.5% of the population older than 1 year. A recommended dietary intake to achieve this serum 25(OH)D concentration has not been established during infancy. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: METHODS:A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in New Zealand. Pregnant mothers, from 27 weeks' gestation to birth, and then their infants, from birth to age 6 months, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 mother/infant groups: placebo/placebo, vitamin D 3 1000/400 IU, or vitamin D 3 2000/800 IU. Serum 25(OH)D and calcium concentrations were measured at enrollment, 36 weeks' gestation, in cord blood, and in infants at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-sixty pregnant women were randomized. At enrollment, the proportions with serum 25(OH)D $20 ng/mL for placebo, lower-dose, and higher-dose groups were 54%, 64%, and 55%, respectively. The proportion with 25(OH)D $20 ng/mL was larger in both intervention groups at 36 weeks' gestation (50%, 91%, 89%, P , .001). In comparison with placebo, the proportion of infants with 25(OH)D $20 ng/mL was larger in both intervention groups to age 4 months: cord blood (22%, 72%, 71%, P , .001), 2 months (50%, 82%, 92%, P , .001), and 4 months (66%, 87%, 87%, P = .004), but only in the higher-dose group at age 6 months (74%, 82%, 89%, P = .07; higher dose versus placebo P = .03, lower dose versus placebo P = .21).

Lower quality living environments increase the risk of pneumonia and hospitalisation with pneumonia in New Zealand. Poorer nutritional status may also increase the risk of pneumonia. Improving housing quality, decreased cigarette smoke exposure and early childhood nutrition may reduce pneumonia disease burden in New Zealand.

Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy reduces the proportion of children sensitized to mites at age 18 months. Preliminary data indicate a possible effect on primary care visits where asthma is diagnosed.

Background Growing Up Milk (GUM) was developed to assist young children in meeting their nutritional requirements during the second year of life. However, there is limited evidence that GUM improves nutritional status and growth in young children. Objectives To evaluate the effect of consuming Growing Up Milk “Lite” (GUMLi) (reduced protein with synbiotics and micronutrients added) compared with standard cow milk as part of a whole diet for 1 y on body composition at 2 y of age. Methods GUMLi Trial was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in Auckland and Brisbane. Healthy 1-y-olds were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either GUMLi or standard cow milk for 12 mo as part of a whole diet. The primary outcome was percentage body fat at 2 y of age measured by bioelectrical impedance. All regression models adjusted for baseline outcome and study center. Results 160 children (80 per arm) were randomly assigned, and 134 (67 per arm) were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. The mean percentage body fat at 12 mo was 23.3% (SD 7.9) in the GUMLi group and 25.7% (SD 7.2) in the cow milk group. After adjusting for baseline outcome and study location, the estimated mean difference in percentage body fat between the intervention and control at 12 mo was −2.19% (95% CI: −4.24, −0.15; P = 0.036). Per-protocol analysis showed a similar effect (mean difference: −2.09%; 95% CI: −4.16, −0.03; P = 0.047). Both fat mass and the fat mass index were significantly lower in the GUMLi group at 12 mo than in the cow milk group. Conclusions At 2 y of age, children who consumed a GUM with a lower protein content than cow milk over 12 mo had a lower percentage of body fat. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12614000918628.

Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy of 2000 IU/d (compared with 1000 IU/d and with a placebo) results in a higher VDA of breast milk ≥2 mo postpartum. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12610000483055.