Vitamin D supplementation for prevention of vitamin D deficiency in preterm and low birth weight infants.
Cochrane Database Syst RevSep 16, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPediatrics
Pramod Pharande, Jennifer L Middleton, Chris Cooper et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on preventing deficiency in preterm and low birth weight infants. The analysis included 34 studies with 5012 infants. Vitamin D supplementation likely reduces the risk of vitamin D deficiency (RR 0.20) and insufficiency (RR 0.46) in preterm infants, with moderate to low certainty evidence.
Key findings
- Vitamin D supplementation probably reduces the risk of vitamin D deficiency in preterm infants (RR 0.20).
- Supplementation may reduce the risk of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (RR 0.46) in preterm infants.
- In low birth weight term infants, vitamin D supplementation probably reduces deficiency (RR 0.21).
- Higher-dose vitamin D supplementation likely reduces deficiency compared to lower doses (RR 0.15).
Why it matters
Vitamin D deficiency in preterm and low birth weight infants can lead to serious health issues, including poor bone health and rickets. Understanding the benefits of supplementation can guide clinical practice in preventing these outcomes.