On the requirement of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D by premature and low birthweight infants.
During recent years the increased survival rate of very low birthweight infants has lead to an increased incidence of rickets and/or osteopenia in these infants. The pathogenesis is multifactorial. From several studies performed under different conditions it can be concluded that the vitamin D requirement of these infants is about 3 times higher than the normal prophylactic dose. Breastfed infants should be supplemented with extra phosphorus and possibly also extra calcium. Infant formulas designed for low birthweight infants should have a calcium content compensating for the initially poor calcium absorption of these infants.
D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012279:Rickets / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014807:Vitamin D; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium