Published in:
01-08-2016 | Original Article
Correction of vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of newborn infants using daily 200 IU vitamin D supplementation
Published in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Issue 3/2016
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Introduction
Although the role of vitamin D in the prevention
of rickets has long been well established, controversies still exist on the ideal dose of vitamin D supplementation in infants.
Objective
We assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) status simultaneously in maternal and cord samples and the response to vitamin D3 supplementation in neonates.
Methods
Serum 25OHD levels were evaluated from maternal, and umbilical cord samples from term normal pregnancies. Repeat 25OHD levels were assessed in neonates with 25OHD below 30 nmol/L following vitamin D3 200 IU daily after 6 weeks.
Results
Blood samples were taken including 57 cord samples and 16 follow-up neonatal samples. Maternal and cord serum 25OHD were 43 ± 21 and 29 ± 15 nmol/L, respectively. Infants with 25OHD < 30 nmol/L (19.8 ± 4.7 nmol/L) had a significant increase in serum 25OHD (63.3 ± 14.5 nmol/L) following vitamin D3 200 IU daily after 6 weeks.
Conclusion
Healthy Irish infants born at term are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, but vitamin D3 200 IU daily, rapidly corrects poor vitamin D status.