PREVENTION OF EARLY NEONATAL HYPOCALCEMIA WITH 25 HYPOCALCEMIA WITH 25 HYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL (25OHD₃)

Abstract

This study utilizes oral 250HD₃ in an attempt to prevent early neonatal hypocalcemia in newborn rats and humans.

Pregnant rats were fed a normal diet or one deficient only in vitamin D. Pups were divided into those litters treated with 250HD₃ orally, 0.5μg/d, for the first five days of life, and those given sodium chloride as controls. Neonatal rat sera were obtained on the sixth day of life with samples from a single litter pooled for analysis. Data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M.:

The significant decrease in serum levels of ionized calcium, magnesium and 250HD in the offspring of vitamin D deficient rats was corrected by treatment.

Preliminary experience in human premature neonates treated for the first five days of life with oral 250HD₃, 2μg/kg/d, revealed comparable data. Serum levels of ionized calcium increased over this period and urinary calcium: creatinine ratios remained low (< 0.1).

These data indicate:1-oral 250HD₃ is well absorbed; 2-oral 250HD³ in this dose does not cause hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria; and 3-most significantly, oral 250HD₃ may prevent early hypocalcemia.

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