Vitamin D Status in Premature Infants at Risk of Metabolic Bone Disease of Prematurity

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the vitamin D status in a group of premature infants with increased risk of MBD and to describe the relationship between their vitamin D status and intake.Methods: Retrospective descriptive study in in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Results:One hundred and fifty-two subjects were included in the study. Mean gestational age was 26.8 ± 3.3 weeks and mean age was 157 ± 93 days. Mean serum 25OHD concentration was 57.8 ± 2.0 mg/mL. The prevalence of 25OHD <20 ng/mL and 25OHD >100 ng/mL was 5.9% (n=9) and 8.6% (n=13), respectively. No association between 25OHD level and vitamin D intake with respect to total daily dose (p=0.43) or total daily dose based on body weight (p=0.812) was found. Younger gestational age and younger chronological age were associated with wider range of 25OHD levels. Conclusions:Both suboptimal and elevated 25OHD concentrations are found with our current protocol for supplementation. Vitamin D status in premature infants does not correlate with their vitamin D intake, but younger gestational age and chronological age are both associated with more diverse range of 25OHD.