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Vitamin D status and adequacy of standard supplementation in preterm neonates from South India

Mintoo Tergestina1, Arun Jose, Santhanam Sridhar

  • 1*Department of Neonatology †Department of Clinical Biochemistry ‡Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|May 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Preterm babies supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D daily showed increased vitamin D insufficiency by 6 weeks. Current supplementation levels appear inadequate, necessitating further research into higher doses for preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • Vitamin D is crucial for infant bone health and immune function.
  • Preterm infants are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency due to various factors.
  • Assessing vitamin D status and supplementation efficacy in preterm neonates is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the vitamin D status of preterm infants at birth.
  • To determine the adequacy of standard daily vitamin D supplementation (400 IU) in this population.
  • To identify the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 111 preterm infants (25-32 weeks gestation).
  • Measurement of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) at birth and 6 weeks.
  • Infants received unfortified breast milk with daily calcium, phosphate, and 400 IU vitamin D supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Median vitamin D levels decreased from 34.7 ng/mL at birth to 19.3 ng/mL at 6 weeks.
  • Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) prevalence increased from 12.6% at birth to 52.2% at 6 weeks (P < 0.001).
  • Despite supplementation, a significant rise in VDI was observed in the preterm cohort.

Conclusions:

  • The standard 400 IU daily vitamin D supplementation is insufficient to prevent VDI in preterm infants.
  • A high proportion of preterm babies develop VDI by 6 weeks of age.
  • Higher doses of vitamin D supplementation require investigation through randomized controlled trials.
Abstract

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