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Vitamin D status as related to race and feeding type in preterm infants

Sarah N Taylor1, Carol L Wagner, Deanna Fanning

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. taylorse@musc.edu <taylorse@musc.edu>

Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Black preterm infants show lower vitamin D levels in the first two weeks of life compared to white infants. Breast milk feeding did not significantly impact vitamin D status in these infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in Black individuals.
  • Vitamin D status in Black preterm infants is largely unknown.
  • The impact of breast milk on vitamin D status in preterm infants receiving combined nutrition is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess vitamin D status in preterm infants during their first month post-delivery.
  • To compare vitamin D status between Black and white preterm infants.
  • To evaluate the influence of feeding type (breast milk vs. formula) on vitamin D status.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 36 preterm infants (< or =32 weeks gestation), with 19 Black and 17 white infants.
  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured at three time points in the first month.
  • Data on feeding type and vitamin D intake were collected concurrently.

Main Results:

  • Black infants exhibited significantly lower mean 25(OH)D levels on days 7-8 and 14-15 compared to white infants.
  • This racial difference in vitamin D status diminished by day 28-30.
  • Infants predominantly fed breast milk did not show significantly lower vitamin D status than formula-fed infants.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in vitamin D status were observed between Black and white preterm infants, particularly in the first two weeks.
  • Breast milk feeding was not associated with poorer vitamin D status in this cohort.
  • A notable decline in serum 25(OH)D levels occurred in 28% of infants, independent of breast milk intake.
Abstract

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