title: Vitamin D in preterm infants: A prospective observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preterm infants are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency as a result of both maternal deficiency and inadequate supplementation. The quantity and effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of vitamin D status in preterm infants and the effectiveness of the hospital's nutritional practices in meeting current supplementation recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was undertaken in the Neonatal Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide. Enrolled infants received a standardised nutrition protocol with emphasis on vitamin D supplementation. The main outcome measure was a comparison of the proportion of vitamin D-deficient infants (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) at birth versus 36 weeks post-menstrual age/discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight infants born between 30 and 36 weeks gestation were enrolled. The proportion of vitamin D-deficient infants decreased from initial to final measurement (32.1% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.016), whereas mean (standard deviation) 25(OH)D3 increased over the same period (58.4 (18.4) versus 82.9 (29.2) nmol/L, P < 0.001). Mean vitamin D intake was 643.6 (285.3) IU/day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current nutritional practices are effective in meeting recommendations regarding vitamin D intake and result in a lower proportion of deficient infants at 36 weeks post-menstrual age/discharge.
authors: School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Kieran
authors: K
authors: Pinto
authors: School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|Child Nutrition Research Centre and FOODplus Research Centre, Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Carmel T
authors: CT
authors: Collins
authors: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|Child Nutrition Research Centre and FOODplus Research Centre, Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Gibson
authors: The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|Department of Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Chad C
authors: CC
authors: Andersen
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: neonatology; nutrition; preterm; vitamin D