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. 2022 Feb;42(2):209-216.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-01238-9. Epub 2021 Oct 21.

Vitamin D status in very low birth weight infants and response to vitamin D intake during their NICU stays: a prospective cohort study

Mohammad Adnan  1   2 , Shou-Yien Wu  3 , Manhal Khilfeh  1 , Vanessa Davis  1
Affiliations

Vitamin D status in very low birth weight infants and response to vitamin D intake during their NICU stays: a prospective cohort study

Mohammad Adnan et al. J Perinatol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate vitamin D status in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and response to vitamin D intake.

Study design: In this prospective cohort study of VLBW infants, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured regularly starting at birth. Daily vitamin D intake was estimated from parenteral and enteral sources.

Results: Of the included 83 infants born between November 2016 and March 2018, 44 (53%) had 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL at birth but achieved vitamin D sufficiency (VDS) by 3 weeks while receiving 120-400 IU/day. Twenty-three (27.7%) infants had at least one 25(OH)D level >100 ng/mL during the study period. Infants whose intake was > 600 IU/day had higher prevalence of vitamin D excess (VDE).

Conclusion: In our study, low 25(OH)D was common in VLBW infants at birth. Vitamin D intake of 120-260 IU/day from parenteral and 200-400 IU/day from enteral route was appropriate for VLBW infants to achieve VDS. Doses > 600 IU/day increased risk of VDE.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart showing the patients enrolled in the study.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Scatter graph showing the distribution of serum 25(OH)D levels at birth of 83 infants according to gestational age.
25(OH)D level at 20 ng/mL is marked as a solid line and 30 ng/mL as a dotted line. Correlation coefficient, r = 0.447, p < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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