Changes in Vitamin D Status during the First Two Weeks of Life in Preterm Infants on TPN: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Given the high prevalence of vitamin D(vitD) deficiency in preterm infants on total parentral nutrition (TPN) and the negative effects of this deficiency, the vitD status and the risk factors of vitD deficiency should be evaluated and studied in order to prevent the deficiency of vitD and its complications.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study in which 25(OH)D, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (Alk) levels were measured in infants of GAInclusion criteria: infants with no asphyxia, that were expected to undergo TPN for two weeks. Infants did not receive corticosteroids and anticonvulsants. Mothers did not receive medication during pregnancy.
Results: The mean of 25(OH)D level in infants was significantly decreased after 2 weeks; therefore, the mean at birth, in the group of GA
Conclusion: It seems that the cause of this significant decrease in vitD status cannot be attributed to vitD deficiency in mothers only, rather this decrease is relevant to the lack of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitD in TPN solutions available in our country. The main recommendation of the present study is that by adding fat-soluble vitamins to TPN from the first days of life, the deficiency of these vitamins in preterm infants on TPN and its complications can be prevented.