Enteral Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of enteral vitamin D supplementation compared with no supplementation in human milk-fed preterm or low birth weight infants.
Results Summary
Vitamin D supplementation improved growth (weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores) and reduced vitamin D deficiency at 3 and 6 months, but had little or no effect on mortality, serious morbidity, hospitalization, head circumference, long-term growth, or neurodevelopment.
Population
Preterm or low birth weight infants fed human milk.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Outcomes assessed up to 6 months and 6 years.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
enteral vitamin D supplementation | increase | weight-for-age z-scores | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | mean difference 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01 to 0.22 | increase in | #1 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | increase | height-for-age z-scores | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | mean difference 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.21 | increase in | #2 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | decrease | vitamin D deficiency | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.68 | decrease in | #3 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | mortality | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #4 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | any serious morbidity | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #5 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | hospitalization | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #6 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | head circumference | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #7 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | growth to 6 years | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #8 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | no change | neurodevelopment | human milk fed preterm or LBW infants | - | little or no effect on | #9 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | increase | growth | preterm and LBW infants | - | improves | #10 |
enteral vitamin D supplementation | increase | vitamin D status | preterm and LBW infants | - | improves | #11 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants have low vitamin D stores. The objective of this study was to assess effects of enteral vitamin D supplementation compared with no vitamin D supplementation in human milk fed preterm or LBW infants. METHODS: Data sources include Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and Embase from inception to March 16, 2021. The study selection included randomized trials. Data were extracted and pooled with fixed and random-effects models. RESULTS: We found 3 trials (2479 participants) that compared vitamin D to no vitamin D. At 6 months, there was increase in weight-for-age z-scores (mean difference 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01 to 0.22, 1 trial, 1273 participants), height-for-age z-scores (mean difference 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.21, 1 trial, 1258 participants); at 3 months there was decrease in vitamin D deficiency (risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.68, I2=58%, 2 trials, 504 participants) in vitamin D supplementation groups. However, there was little or no effect on mortality, any serious morbidity, hospitalization, head circumference, growth to 6 years and neurodevelopment. The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Fourteen trials (1969 participants) assessed dose and reported no effect on mortality, morbidity, growth, or neurodevelopment, except on parathyroid hormone and vitamin D status. No studies assessed timing. Limitations include heterogeneity and small sample size in included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral vitamin D supplementation improves growth and vitamin D status in preterm and LBW infants.