Vitamin D and calcium for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

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Vitamin D and calcium for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) increases your child's risk of osteoporosis in two ways. Pain and swelling can cause your child to be less active, which leads to loss of bone mass. In addition, long-term corticosteroid treatment for JRA depletes bone mass.

To minimize osteoporosis during treatment, experts recommend adequate daily intake of vitamin D (400 IU) and calcium:¹

for children 1 to 3 years old
for children 4 to 8 years old
for people age 9 and older

Foods high in calcium include dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt; calcium-fortified orange juice; and broccoli. Vitamin D is found in dairy products. Being out in sunlight for at least 15 minutes each day without sunscreen will also help with vitamin D intake; your body makes vitamin D when it's exposed to sunlight.

Food-based sources of vitamins and minerals are better than dietary supplements, which are not as fully absorbed by the body. If your child has little appetite for food, however, your doctor may recommend dietary supplements.

References

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Citations
Giannini EH, Brunner HI (2005). Treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In WJ Koopman, LW Moreland, eds., Arthritis and Allied Conditions, 15th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1301–1318. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Updated	June 25, 2008

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Last updated:	June 25, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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