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.