Abstract
Summary: For five days, three groups of six premature infants each were fed human milk and given a daily dosage of one of the following: vitamin D3 (30 μg), 25-OH D3 (10 μg) and 1,25-OH D3 (0.5 μg). The infants in the groups were matched for gestational age and birthweight. Administration of 25-OH D3 or 1,25-(OH)2 D3 did not significantly modify the course of early neonatal hypocalcemia as compared with infants receiving vitamin D3. Mean plasma Ca ± S.D. (mg/100 ml) decreased to nadir values at 48 hr (D3: 5.7 ± 1.2; 25 OH D3: 6.8 ± 0.9; 1,25-(OH)2 D3: 6.7 ± 1.1). A progressive increase toward normal values was seen at 120 and 168 hr in the three groups. Mean plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone ± S.D. (μ Eq/ml) followed an opposite pattern with peak values at 48 hr (D3: 231 ± 137; 25-OH D3: 281 ± 138; 1,25-(OH)2 D3:211 ± 149). Mean plasma ± S.D. 25-OH D values (ng/ ml) were low at 1.2 hr (8.7 ± 4.8) n: 16) and increased significantly after 7 days of D3 (18.2 ± 4.2 P < 0.001) and 25-OH D3 administration (46 ± 10.3 P < 0.001)/ Mean plasma iCT ± S.D. (pg/ml) reached peak values at 24 hr (D3: 457 ± 186; 25-OH D3: 415 ± 121; 1,25-(OH)2 D3: 443 ± 183). These data suggest that the various forms of vitamin D are well absorbed in preterm infants and that administration of vitamin D metabolites during the first days of life is not warranted for the prophylaxis of early neonatal hypocalcemia.
Speculation: A defect in vitamin D metabolism is considered to be a possible pathogenetic factor in early hypocalcemia in premature infants. Since our data indicate adequate intestinal absorption and liver hydroxylation of vitamin D3 with no obvious effect on the D metabolites, it is speculated that the biotransformation pathway of vitamin D3 is operative in preterm infants after 32 wk of gestation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salle, B., David, L., Glorieux, F. et al. Early Oral Administration of Vitamin D and its Metabolites in Premature Neonates. Effect on Mineral Homeostasis. Pediatr Res 16 (Suppl 1), 75–78 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198201001-00015
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198201001-00015
This article is cited by
-
Functional indicators of vitamin D adequacy for very low birth weight infants
Journal of Perinatology (2018)
-
Calcium homeostasis in premature infants and treatment of early hypocalcaemia by 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol
European Journal of Pediatrics (1987)
