Vitamin D status in full-term exclusively breastfed infants versus full-term breastfed infants receiving vitamin D supplementation in Thailand: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation improves vitamin D status in exclusively breastfed Thai infants.
Results Summary
Vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) significantly increased serum 25OHD concentrations and reduced the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants, with no adverse effects on growth or biochemical parameters.
Population
Full-term, exclusively breastfed Thai infants aged 2 months.
Effective Dosage
400 IU/day
Duration
From 2 months to 6 months of age (4 months total).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | serum 25OHD concentration | full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | 20.57 ± 12.66 vs. 46.01 ± 16.42 ng/mL | was lower in the control group than intervention group | #1 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | vitamin D sufficiency (25OHD of > 20 ng/mL) | full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | 93.0% vs. 43.2% | More infants had vitamin D sufficiency in the intervention group than control group | #2 |
vitamin D supplementation | no change | maternal 25OHD concentrations | mothers of full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | 25.08 ± 7.75 vs. 23.75 ± 7.64 ng/mL | no significant differences | #3 |
vitamin D supplementation | no change | serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, and infants' growth parameters | full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | - | were comparable between the two groups | #4 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | 25OHD concentration | full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | 25.66 ng/mL higher | was higher than the control group | #5 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency | full-term, exclusively breastfed infants | 88.7% decrease | contributed to a decrease in the prevalence | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) | increase | vitamin D status | full-term, exclusively breastfed Thai infants | - | improves | #7 |
vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) | decrease | vitamin D deficiency | full-term, exclusively breastfed Thai infants | - | prevents | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Many international medical organizations recommend vitamin D supplementation for infants, especially exclusively breastfed infants. In Thailand, however, data regarding the vitamin D status in Thai infants are lacking. Such data would help to support physician decisions and guide medical practice. METHODS: Full-term, exclusively breastfed infants were randomized into two groups at 2 months of age to continue exclusive breastfeeding either without vitamin D supplementation (control group, n = 44) or with vitamin D RESULTS: The infants' serum 25OHD concentration was lower in the control group than intervention group (20.57 ± 12.66 vs. 46.01 ± 16.42 ng/mL, p < 0.01). More infants had vitamin D sufficiency (25OHD of > 20 ng/mL) in the intervention group than control group (93.0% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the maternal 25OHD concentrations between the control and intervention groups (25.08 ± 7.75 vs. 23.75 ± 7.64 ng/mL, p = 0.42). Serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, and infants' growth parameters were comparable between the two groups. After adjustment for the confounding factors, 25OHD concentration in the intervention group was 25.66 ng/mL higher than the control group (95% confidence interval, 19.07-32.25; p < 0.001). Vitamin D supplement contributed to an 88.7% decrease in the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (relative risk, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.35; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Most full-term, exclusively breastfed Thai infants have serum vitamin D concentration below sufficiency level at 6 months of age. However, vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) improves their vitamin D status and prevents vitamin D deficiency. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was pre-registered in the Thai Clinical Trials Registry ( TCTR20190622001 ) on 22/06/2019.