RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Vitamin D levels in Malawian infants from birth to 24 months JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP 180 OP 183 DO 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302377 VO 98 IS 3 A1 Timothy K Amukele A1 Dean Soko A1 Pauline Katundu A1 Melvin Kamanga A1 Jin Sun A1 Newton I Kumwenda A1 Taha E Taha YR 2013 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/98/3/180.abstract AB We measured longitudinal levels of vitamin D in unsupplemented Malawian infants at 0 (birth), 2, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months of age. Matched maternal plasma and breast milk vitamin D2 and D3 levels were also measured at delivery and 2 months postpartum. Vitamin D was measured using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Vitamin D3 levels in children were 36% of adult levels at birth, 60% of adult levels at age 2 months, and at par with adult levels by 12 months of age. This adult-equivalent level is subsequently maintained through age 24 months and consisted of a 98% molar ratio of vitamin D3. Vitamin D levels in breast milk were below the limit of detection, 0.1 ng/ml. Breast milk of unsupplemented Malawian mothers is a poor source of vitamin D.