Assessment of Adequacy of Supplementation of Vitamin D in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effect of 400 IU and 1000 IU vitamin D for 6 weeks in very low birth weight preterm neonates.

Design: Randomized, double-blinded controlled trial in a teaching hospital.

Participants: Fifty very low birth weight preterm neonates.

Intervention: Vitamin D 400 IU/day (Group 1) or 1000 IU/day (Group 2).

Outcome measures: Change in serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD), parathormone, incidence of skeletal hypomineralization and growth.

Results: After 6 weeks of supplementation, the mean serum calcium and 25-OHD levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001 each), while ALP and parathormone levels significantly lower (p < 0.001 each) in group 2. Skeletal hypomineralization was lesser and growth better in group 2.

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in a dose of 1000 IU/day is more effective in maintaining serum calcium, phosphate, ALP, 25-OHD and parathormone levels with lower incidence of skeletal hypomineralization and better growth.

Keywords: preterm; secondary hyperparathyroidism; skeletal mineralization; vitamin D supplementation.