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[A comparative analysis of the efficacy of two vitamin D supplementation regimens in preterm infants: a prospective
Li Ma1, Li-Meng Geng, Xi-Hui Zhou
1Department of Neonatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China. zhouxih@mail.xjtu.edu.cn.
Insights
A single intramuscular vitamin D injection significantly improved vitamin D levels in preterm infants by day 28. This method effectively reduced vitamin D deficiency without adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency.
- Establishing optimal vitamin D supplementation for this vulnerable population is crucial for their nutritional status and long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a single intramuscular vitamin D3 injection versus daily oral vitamin D3 drops on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in preterm infants.
- To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the safety of different supplementation regimens.
Main Methods:
- 59 preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) were divided into two groups.
- Observation group: Single intramuscular dose of vitamin D3 (10,000 IU/kg).
- Control group: Oral vitamin D3 drops (900 IU/d) for 25 days. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured at birth and on day 28.
Main Results:
- Initial vitamin D deficiency prevalence was 78% in all infants.
- On day 28, the intramuscular group showed significantly higher serum 25(OH)D levels compared to the oral group.
- The intramuscular injection significantly reduced the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, with no reported overdose or toxicity.
Conclusions:
- A single intramuscular dose of 10,000 IU/kg vitamin D3 is a safe and effective strategy.
- This regimen significantly improves vitamin D nutritional status in preterm infants by day 28.
- Intramuscular vitamin D supplementation offers a promising alternative for preventing deficiency in this population.
Objective:
To study the effect of different vitamin D supplementation regimens on the nutritional status of vitamin D on day 28 after birth in preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks.
Methods:
A total of 59 preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks who were born from October 2018 to October 2019 were enrolled and divided into an observation group with 30 infants and a control group with 29 infants. The infants in the observation group received a single-dose intramuscular injection of vitamin D3 (10 000 IU/kg), while those in the control group received oral vitamin D3 drops (900 IU/d) for 25 days. Venous blood samples were collected within 48 hours after birth (before vitamin D3 supplementation) and on day 28 after birth to measure the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level.
Results:
Within 48 hours after birth, the prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency (≤15 ng/mL) was 78% among the 59 preterm infants. There were no significant differences in the serum 25(OH)D level and the prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group on day 28 after birth, the observation group had a significantly higher serum 25(OH)D level (P<0.05) and a significantly lower prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency (P<0.05). There were no cases of vitamin D overdose or poisoning.
Conclusions:
In preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, single-dose intramuscular injection of 10 000 IU/kg vitamin D3 can significantly increase serum 25(OH)D level on day 28 after birth and safely and effectively reduce the prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency.
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