VITAMIN D NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PREMATURE INFANTS SUPPLEMENTED WITH 500 IU VITAMIN D2PER DAY

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Abstract
The vitamin D nutritional status of premature infants was assessed by determining plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations before and during supplementation with 500 IU vitamin D2/day. Samples (51) were collected from 25 healthy infants fed breast milk and a vitamin D3 fortified formula. Gestational age was 32.2 .+-. 2.4 wk (mean .+-. 1 SD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels before supplementation correlated well with maternal values (r = 0.81). The infant''s mean plasma concentration increased from 30.6 .+-. 13.7 nmol/l (mean .+-. 1 SD) after birth to 46.3 .+-. 10.5 nmol/l after 9 .+-. 1 days (P < 0.0025), and to 65.3 .+-. 16.6 nmol/l after 37 .+-. 10 days of vitamin D2 treatment (P < 0.0005). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were determined separately, and it appeared that the rise was accounted for by the D2 fraction while 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were unchanged. Vitamin D2 is well absorbed and hydroxylated in the 25 position by premature infants free of associated disease. A supplementation of 500 IU/day in addition to breast milk and a regular vitamin D fortified formula is adequate to rapidly establish 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels within the normal adult range.