Tom D. Thacher, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to measure a naturally modified form of vitamin D metabolites, known as vitamin D sulfates, in freshly expressed breastmilk samples and identify correlations with serum vitamin D status. Knowledge obtained from these measurements could suggest alternative approaches to improving vitamin D intake for infants.       

Obejctive 2- Test sulfatase activity in infant saliva and digesta by non- invasive swabs to determine nutritional value of visitamin D sulfates for the infant.

Objective 3- Measurement of Vitamin D- Sulfate and 25- Hydroxyvitamin D- Sulfate in women who may be at risk for Vitamin D deficiency. Lactating women >3 weeks after delivery

Is a greater care team NP/PA to MD/DO ratio associated with reduced cost and improved access and continuity within the care team?

Adequate vitamin D is essential for proper infant growth and development. However, human milk is low in vitamin D, and most infants do not receive recommended supplementation. Our aim is to assess the feasibility of providing adequate vitamin D to breastfed infants through maternal vitamin D supplementation. Forty non-pregnant, lactating women at least 18 years of age with exclusively breastfed infants between the ages of 1 and 6 months will be randomized to receive oral vitamin D as either 5,000 IU daily for 28 days or 150,000 IU as a single dose. Maternal serum calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and 25(OH)D; maternal urinary calcium; maternal milk vitamin D and 25(OH)D will be measured on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 of the study; and infant serum vitamin D and 25(OH)D will be measured on days 0 and 28.

The purpose of this study is to determine if ultrasound imaging of bone can identify the changes of impaired mineralization of the growth plates at the wrists and the knees, similar to those visible on plain radiographs.