title: Early oral administration of vitamin D and its metabolites in premature neonates. Effect on mineral homeostasis.
abstract: For five days, three groups of six premature infants each were fed human milk and given a daily dosage of one of the following: vitamin D3 (30 micrograms), 25-OH D3 (10 micrograms) and 1,25-OH D3 (0.5 micrograms). The infants in the groups were matched for gestational age and birthweight. Administration of 25-OH De or 1,25-(OH)2 D3 did not significantly modify the course of early neonatal hypocalcemia as compared with infants receiving vitamin C3. Mean plasma Ca +/- S. D. (mg/100 ml) decreased to nadir values at 48 hr (D3: 5.7 +/-1.2; 25 OH D3: 6.8 +/- 0.9; 1.25-(OH)2 D3: 6.7 +/-1.1). A progressive increase toward normal values was seen at 120 and 168 hr in the three groups. Mean plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone +/- S.D. (microliters Eq/ml) followed an opposite pattern with peak values at 48 hr (D3: 231 +/- 137; 25-OH D3: 281 +/- 138; 1,25-(OH)2 D3:211 +/- 149). Mean plasma +/- S.D. 25-OH values (ng/ml) were low at 1.2 hr (8.7 +/- 4.8) n: 16) and increased significantly after 7 days of D3 (18.2 +/- 4.2 P less than 0.001) and 25-OH D3 administration (46 +/- 10.3 P less than 0.001)/Mean plasma iCT +/- S.D. (pg/ml) reached peak values at 24 hr (D3: 457 +/- 186; 25-OH D3: 415 +/- 121; 1.25-(OH)2 D3: 443 +/- 183). These data suggest that the various forms of vitamin D are well absorbed in preterm infants and that administration of vitamin D metabolites during the first days of life is not warranted for they prophylaxis of early neonatal hypocalcemia.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000097:blood; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D008903:Minerals; D014807:Vitamin D; D010758:Phosphorus; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium