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Vitamin D status among preterm infants with cholestasis and metabolic bone disease

Supamit Ukarapong1, Walter Zegarra2, Cristina Navarrete3

  • 1Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA. s.ukarapong@med.miami.edu.

Pediatric Research
|July 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants with metabolic bone disease (MBD) and cholestasis generally maintain normal vitamin D levels. While vitamin D levels may decrease initially in cholestasis patients, deficiency rates remain similar across groups.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a frequent complication in preterm infants.
  • Cholestasis has been identified as a significant risk factor for MBD development.
  • This study investigates vitamin D status in preterm infants experiencing both MBD and cholestasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess vitamin D status in preterm infants diagnosed with MBD.
  • To compare vitamin D levels between preterm infants with MBD and cholestasis versus those with MBD alone.
  • To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these infant populations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for preterm infants in a NICU from June 2014 to May 2016.
  • Collection and analysis of demographic data, biochemical markers, and vitamin D intake.
  • Comparison of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at diagnosis and follow-up between cholestasis and non-cholestasis groups.

Main Results:

  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were similar at MBD diagnosis in infants with and without cholestasis (median 29.1 ng/ml vs. 28.7 ng/ml).
  • At follow-up (approx. 6 weeks later), vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the cholestasis group (median 31.2 ng/ml vs. 36.5 ng/ml, p=0.02).
  • Despite the decrease, the percentage of infants with vitamin D deficiency was comparable between the cholestasis and non-cholestasis groups.

Conclusions:

  • The majority of preterm infants with cholestasis and MBD exhibit adequate vitamin D status.
  • While a transient decrease in vitamin D levels may occur in cholestasis, it does not necessarily lead to deficiency.
  • These findings suggest that routine vitamin D monitoring may be warranted, with careful consideration of cholestasis in preterm infants with MBD.
Abstract

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