title: A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing two regimens of vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates.
abstract: To compare the efficacy of 400 vs 1000 IU oral vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates of 27 to 34 weeks gestation.
  
  
  
  This double-blind randomized controlled trial allocated preterm babies to receive either 400 or 1000 IU of vitamin D3 (n=60 in each group). Primary outcome was prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (serum vitamin D levels<20 ng ml(-1)) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age (CGA).
  
  
  
  At term CGA vitamin D insufficiency was significantly lower in the 1000 IU group than in the 400 IU group (2% vs 64.6%, P⩽0.001). Although elevated vitamin D levels were seen in 9.8% of babies on 1000 IU per day, this was not associated with clinical or biochemical evidence of toxicity.
  
  
  
  Supplementing preterm babies with 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily decreases the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at term CGA. Excess levels of vitamin D may occur at this dose in some babies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tergestina
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rebekah
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Job
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002118:Calcium