title: Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in premature infants: preliminary results.
abstract: Serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations were measured in serial serum samples from 19 premature infants of 29.6 +/- 1.3 weeks gestation and 1,129 +/- 159 g birthweight. 1,25(OH)2D was always normal or elevated and mean concentrations increased with age (adult, 55.2 +/- 13; infants, 1-2 weeks, 81.5 +/- 37.7 pg/mg; 3 weeks, 65 +/- 21; 6 weeks, 90.0 +/- 17.3; 9 weeks, 99.0 +/- 25.1; 12 weeks, 103.3 +/- 26.6 pg/ml). No correlation was seen with 25-OHD. Infants given 800 IU D2 supplements had lower 1,25(OH)2D levels than infants given 400 IU D2. Breast fed infants had initially higher 1,25(OH)2D levels; however, this was not sustained. These preliminary data suggest that premature infants regulate 1,25(OH)2D production similar to more mature infants and children. Whether the premature infant has a normal gastrointestinal and/or bone responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D and whether these elevated 1,25(OH)2D concentrations are "adequately elevated" requires further study.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008895:Milk, Human; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010758:Phosphorus; D002117:Calcitriol; D002118:Calcium