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Enteral Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Pediatrics
January 1, 1970
Mohan Kumar et al. (10 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

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.

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Dietary SupplementsHumansInfantInfant, Low Birth WeightInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureMilk, HumanVitamin DVitamins
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations13
Citations/Year4.3
Relative Citation Ratio2.42
NIH Percentile79.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.62
Normalized Score0.63
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