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A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing two regimens of vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 763–767 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of 400 vs 1000 IU oral vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates of 27 to 34 weeks gestation.

Methods:

This double-blind randomized controlled trial allocated preterm babies to receive either 400 or 1000 IU of vitamin D3 (n=60 in each group). Primary outcome was prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (serum vitamin D levels<20 ng ml−1) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age (CGA).

Results:

At term CGA vitamin D insufficiency was significantly lower in the 1000 IU group than in the 400 IU group (2% vs 64.6%, P⩽0.001). Although elevated vitamin D levels were seen in 9.8% of babies on 1000 IU per day, this was not associated with clinical or biochemical evidence of toxicity.

Conclusion:

Supplementing preterm babies with 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily decreases the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at term CGA. Excess levels of vitamin D may occur at this dose in some babies.

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Acknowledgements

Source of support: Institutional Fluid Research Grant.

Author contributions

MT—design, data collection, analysis, manuscript draft and revision; GR—design, analysis, manuscript revision; VJ—design, laboratory analysis, manuscript revision; AS—design, analysis, manuscript revision; NT—concept and design, data analysis, manuscript draft and revision.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

    M Tergestina & N Thomas

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

    G Rebekah

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

    V Job

  4. Department of Child Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

    A Simon

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  1. M Tergestina
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N Thomas.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Tergestina, M., Rebekah, G., Job, V. et al. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing two regimens of vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates. J Perinatol 36, 763–767 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.70

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.70

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