Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in preterm infants receiving oral vitamin D supplements

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Nutritional Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Preterm infants are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
• Adequate vitamin D is crucial for bone health and overall development in neonates.
• Optimal supplementation strategies require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two different daily oral vitamin D3 doses in preterm infants.
• To assess vitamin D3 absorption and hydroxylation capacity in this population.
• To determine if a higher vitamin D3 supplement offers advantages.

Main Methods:

• Serial measurement of plasma 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25-OHD) levels.
• Two groups of preterm infants received either 400 IU or 1000 IU of oral vitamin D3 daily.
• Infants were monitored until 36 weeks' gestational age.

Main Results:

• Both 400 IU and 1000 IU daily doses of vitamin D3 were adequately absorbed and hydroxylated by preterm infants by 36 weeks' gestational age.
• No significant difference in plasma 25-OHD levels was observed between the two groups.
• The higher daily supplement dose (1000 IU) showed no advantage over the lower dose (400 IU).

Conclusions:

• A daily oral vitamin D3 supplement of 400 IU is sufficient for adequate vitamin D status in preterm infants by 36 weeks' gestational age.
• Increasing the dose to 1000 IU daily does not provide additional benefits regarding vitamin D metabolism in this cohort.
• Standardized vitamin D supplementation protocols for preterm infants can be informed by these findings.