Vitamin D Supplementation for Premature Birth

Overseen By Emily K Stephens, BSN, RNC-NIC

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Congenital anomaly, Nonbacterial infection, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effects of vitamin D supplementation in extremely premature infants. The goal is to determine how 800 IU/day of vitamin D impacts the lungs, bones, immune system, and brain compared to usual care. Infants qualify if born before 28 weeks or weigh less than 1000 grams. The study includes two groups: one receives the vitamin D supplement, and the other receives a placebo. This trial targets those with extremely premature babies requiring NICU care. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the potential benefits of vitamin D for these infants.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that giving 800 IU of vitamin D daily is generally safe for premature babies. Studies have found that this amount does not significantly increase negative side effects during the first 28 days after birth. It also helps improve vitamin D levels, which is important for healthy bones and overall growth.

One study found that a higher dose of vitamin D leads to positive short-term results in preterm infants. This amount helps reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency, which is common in premature babies, while remaining safe. Based on current research, 800 IU of vitamin D per day appears well-tolerated and safe for preterm infants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about vitamin D supplementation for premature infants because it may offer a simple yet effective way to support early development. Unlike the standard care, which typically includes 400 IU/day of vitamin D once infants reach certain feeding levels, this approach doubles the dose to 800 IU/day from birth. This higher dosage could enhance bone health and immune function during a critical growth period. By administering vitamin D enterally (through feedings), the method aligns with routine care practices, ensuring ease of incorporation into existing care protocols. If successful, this strategy could become a game-changer in neonatal care, offering a straightforward intervention with potentially significant benefits for premature babies.

What evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation might be an effective treatment for premature birth?

This trial will compare usual care plus placebo with usual care plus vitamin D supplementation. Studies have shown that giving preterm newborns 800 IU of vitamin D daily effectively improves their vitamin D levels. Research indicates that this dosage helps reduce vitamin D deficiency, common in premature infants. One study found that taking 800 IU of vitamin D daily provided an 88% chance of reaching healthy vitamin D levels by 36 weeks of age. Evidence also suggests that this supplement supports better bone development and overall growth in these infants. Importantly, these benefits occurred without any signs of harmful effects, making it a safe way to increase vitamin D levels in preterm babies. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maria del Mar Romero López, MD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The ViDES Trial is for newborns born at less than 28 weeks gestational age or weighing under 1000 grams. It's not for babies with major birth defects, conditions like cystic fibrosis that affect vitamin D absorption, or those deemed too sick by their neonatologist. Babies over 32 weeks GA can't join regardless of weight.

Inclusion Criteria

Informed written consent in an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved manner

My baby was born before 28 weeks or weighed less than 1000 grams.

My condition is congenital.

Exclusion Criteria

My baby was born after 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Any major congenital anomaly

A known congenital nonbacterial infection

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Infants receive either placebo or vitamin D supplementation at 800 IU/day for the first 28 days after birth

4 weeks

Daily administration

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including respiratory support and growth metrics

2 years

Long-term follow-up

Assessment of neurodevelopment and growth metrics at 2 years

2 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• 800 IU/day vitamin D supplementation with feedings in the first 28 days after birth
• Placebo
• Usual Care

Trial Overview This trial tests if giving extremely premature infants an extra dose of vitamin D (800 IU/day) helps improve their bone health, lung function, immune system, and brain development compared to usual care during the first month after birth.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Usual care plus vitamin D supplementation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Infants will receive cholecalciferol 800 IU/day in the first 28 days after birth, given enterally four times per day (0.5mL per dose = 200 IU) until the infant is provided 400 IU/day (when feedings reach about 120 -160 mL/kg/day). At that point the study cholecalciferol will be reduced to 400 IU/day for a total supplementation of 800 IU/day.

Group II: Usual care plus placebo Active Control 2 Interventions

Infants will receive placebo (normal saline) in the first 28 days after birth. Care will be unaffected and provided based on the judgment of the attending neonatal faculty and NICU policies and routine practices. When the infant receives about 120 to 160 mL/kg/day of fortified milk at 24 kcal/ounce, the infant will receive supplementation with 400 IU/day of vitamin D as usual care.

800 IU/day vitamin D supplementation with feedings in the first 28 days after birth is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Cholecalciferol for:

• Prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency
• Rickets
• Osteomalacia

Approved in United States as Vitamin D3 for:

• Prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency
• Rickets
• Osteomalacia

Approved in Canada as Cholecalciferol for:

• Prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency
• Rickets
• Osteomalacia

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Collaborator

Trials

394

Recruited

404,000+

The Gerber Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

45

Recruited

6,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 25 healthy premature infants, daily supplementation of 500 IU of vitamin D2 significantly increased their plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels from 30.6 nmol/l at birth to 65.3 nmol/l after 37 days, indicating effective absorption and metabolism of vitamin D2.

The increase in vitamin D levels was primarily due to the D2 fraction, while levels of vitamin D3 remained unchanged, suggesting that vitamin D2 supplementation is effective for rapidly achieving adequate vitamin D status in premature infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vitamin D nutritional status of premature infants supplemented with 500 IU vitamin D2 per day. Markestad, T., Aksnes, L., Finne, PH., et al.[2019]

In a study of 32 preterm infants receiving either 400 or 800 IU/day of vitamin D3 for 4 weeks, those on the higher dose showed a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D3 levels, indicating better vitamin D status.

Infants receiving 400 IU/day were more likely to have low bone density, suggesting that an 800 IU/day dose may be more beneficial for improving bone health and overall growth in preterm infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of two doses of vitamin D3 in preterm infants Anderson-Berry, A., Thoene, M., Wagner, J., et al.[2018]

A study of 378 preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit showed that monitoring daily Vitamin D intake significantly improved the amount of Vitamin D these infants received.

The improvement in Vitamin D intake was observed in both extremely low birth weight infants (less than 1000 g) and very low birth weight infants (1000-1500 g), highlighting the importance of monitoring for ensuring adequate nutrient intake.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vitamin D Intake in Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Munshi, UK., Graziano, PD., Meunier, K., et al.[2018]

In a study of 10 preterm infants, it was found that they can produce high levels of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D, with concentrations significantly higher than those in adults, indicating their ability to metabolize vitamin D effectively despite their premature birth.

No signs of rickets were observed in these infants, suggesting that the daily intake of about 400 I.U. of vitamin D3 through total parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding is sufficient to maintain healthy vitamin D levels during early development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plasma 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in preterm infants. Fetter, WP., Mettau, JW., Degenhart, HJ., et al.[2019]

In a study of 96 preterm infants, daily supplementation of 800 IU of vitamin D3 significantly reduced the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to 400 IU, with rates of deficiency at 38.1% versus 66.7% at 40 weeks' postmenstrual age.

While the higher dose effectively lowered deficiency rates, it did not improve bone mineral content or density, and there was a small risk of vitamin D excess in one infant (2.4%).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trial of daily vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants. Natarajan, CK., Sankar, MJ., Agarwal, R., et al.[2014]

A study involving 39 preterm infants showed that a lower vitamin D dose of 200 IU/kg (up to 400 IU/day) is effective in maintaining normal vitamin D levels and achieving similar bone mineral density as the higher recommended dose of 960 IU/day.

The results indicate that the lower dose is sufficient for bone health, suggesting that excessive vitamin D should be avoided in preterm infants due to potential risks, as both doses resulted in comparable bone mineral content and density.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomised controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation on bone density and biochemical indices in preterm infants. Backström, MC., Mäki, R., Kuusela, AL., et al.[2019]

In a study of 66 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, early supplementation with 800 IU of vitamin D starting at 2 weeks of age was found to be safe and effective, achieving an 88% probability of vitamin D sufficiency by 36 weeks for those with initial levels ≥10 ng/mL.

For infants with lower initial vitamin D levels (<10 ng/mL), the supplementation still showed promise, with a 65% probability of achieving sufficiency, indicating that vitamin D intake may significantly improve vitamin D status in vulnerable populations like VLBW infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of early supplementation with 800 IU of vitamin D in very preterm infants followed by underlying levels of vitamin D at birth. Cho, SY., Park, HK., Lee, HJ.[2022]

In a study of 59 preterm infants born with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks, a single-dose intramuscular injection of 10,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels by day 28 after birth compared to those receiving oral vitamin D3 drops.

The injection also resulted in a lower prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the infants, with no reported cases of overdose or poisoning, indicating that this method is both safe and effective for improving vitamin D status in preterm infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[A comparative analysis of the efficacy of two vitamin D supplementation regimens in preterm infants: a prospective randomized controlled study]. Ma, L., Geng, LM., Zhou, XH.[2020]

In a study of 120 preterm neonates, those receiving 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily had a significantly lower prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (2%) compared to those receiving 400 IU (64.6%) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age.

While some infants on the higher dose experienced elevated vitamin D levels (9.8%), there were no signs of toxicity, suggesting that 1000 IU is a safe and effective supplementation level for reducing vitamin D insufficiency in preterm infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing two regimens of vitamin D supplementation in preterm neonates. Tergestina, M., Rebekah, G., Job, V., et al.[2022]

In a study of 111 preterm babies, 12.6% were found to be vitamin D insufficient at birth, but this number rose dramatically to 52.2% at 6 weeks despite daily supplementation of 400 IU of vitamin D.

The findings suggest that the current recommended daily dose of 400 IU is insufficient to prevent vitamin D insufficiency in preterm infants, indicating a need for further research into higher supplementation doses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vitamin D status and adequacy of standard supplementation in preterm neonates from South India. Tergestina, M., Jose, A., Sridhar, S., et al.[2018]

In a study of 301 preterm infants, about 80% had deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels at 4 weeks of age, highlighting a common issue among very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in VLBW infants by 8 and 12 weeks, while ELBW infants showed slower improvement, indicating that while supplementation is effective, monitoring is essential to prevent excessively high vitamin D levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Serum 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Oral Vitamin D Supplementation. Munshi, UK., Graziano, PD., Meunier, K., et al.[2019]

In a study of 109 preterm infants, monitored vitamin D supplementation (800-1000 IU) resulted in safer vitamin D levels compared to standard therapy, with a higher percentage of infants maintaining safe levels at 52 weeks of post-conceptional age.

Standard therapy led to a 23% discontinuation rate due to potentially toxic vitamin D levels, highlighting the importance of monitoring to prevent both deficiency and overdose in vitamin D supplementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Monitored Supplementation of Vitamin D in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Kołodziejczyk-Nowotarska, A., Bokiniec, R., Seliga-Siwecka, J.[2021]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40507157/

Improving Vitamin D Status in Preterm Newborns Vitamin D3 supplementation at 800 IU/day significantly improved vitamin D status and reduced hypovitaminosis D in preterm newborns, without observed toxicity.

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41372-025-02440-9

Short-term and long-term effects of vitamin D ... High-dose (≥800 IU/day) vitamin D supplementation for preterm infants was associated with positive short-term outcomes, encompassing ...

3. ijponline.biomedcentral.com ijponline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13052-017-0361-0

Efficacy and safety of early supplementation with 800 IU of ... Vitamin D intake of 800 IU/day safely achieved an 88% probability of vitamin D sufficiency at 36 weeks postmenstrual age in VLBW infants with ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537871/

Monitored Supplementation of Vitamin D in Preterm Infants ... 800 IU/day of total vitamin D intake. The primary outcome was VDD at 40 weeks of PMA and the secondary outcomes included VDD, bone mineral density (BMD) ...

5. publications.aap.org publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/Supplement%201/e2022057092K/188647/Enteral-Vitamin-D-Supplementation-in-Preterm-or

Enteral Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm or Low Birth ... Our systematic review found moderate certainty evidence of increase in weight, length, and reduction in vitamin D deficiency during first 6 ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212267222003847

Safety and Efficacy of Early Vitamin D Supplementation in ... The study found that vitamin D supplementation with 800 IU/day during the first 28 days after birth did not significantly increase the frequency of ...

7. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185950

Randomized trial of two doses of vitamin D 3 in preterm infants ... Our study demonstrated a significant improvement in 25(OH)D3 status of premature infants with vitamin D3 supplementation, with a higher proportion of infants in ...

8. fn.bmj.com fn.bmj.com/content/99/2/F166

Vitamin D status of early preterm infants and the effects ... PS-206 Maternal/neonatal Vitamin D Deficiency May Be A Risk Factor For Development Of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia In Preterm Infants. M Cetinkaya, Archives of ...