Previous studies have shown that preterm infants (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) often have vitamin D insufficiency. According to Medical Dialogues, researchers in Korea sought to understand the relationship between insufficient vitamin D levels and other illnesses, which could result in severe illness or death. To do so, researchers administered 400 IU (approximately 268 mg) of vitamin D to preterm infants over a 1 year and 11 month period. If you are interested in reading the full study findings, you can find them in Medicine. 

Altogether, there were 90 preterm infants born during the study period. During the retrospective analysis, researchers evaluated the infants’ health following daily vitamin D. Researchers found that 49 infants (55%) still had vitamin D insufficiency following the 4-week supplemental period, whereas 41 infants (45%) had stable vitamin D levels. Further, vitamin D insufficiency at one month old was also associated with lower gestational weight. 

After further analysis, researchers determined that infants with vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Normally, vitamin D plays a role in placental growth and health. Therefore, researchers surmise that low vitamin D can both increase the risk of preterm delivery, but also increase the risk of associated health issues.

Additional research is needed to determine the validity of these findings, particularly in a group with a larger sample size. However, these findings do suggest that early detection of vitamin D deficiency, as well as supplemental treatment, could be crucial in improving the health and quality-of-life of these infants. 

About Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) may occur in preterm (premature) infants, resulting from damaged or poorly formed lungs. These infants are often unable to produce enough surfactant, which helps keep the lungs open and functioning. As a result, infants with RDS may experience collapsed lungs or breathing difficulties which require oxygen therapy or ventilation support. 

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a form of chronic lung disease which often follows this need for ventilatory assistance. This diagnosis typically follows children who require extensive breathing support, and most often occurs in premature newborns or full-term births requiring breathing support. Risk factors include genetic components, congenital heart disease, lung infections, high oxygen level intakes, and ongoing mechanical ventilation. Symptoms associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia include:

• Flared nostrils
• Shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin tone
• Fast or difficult breathing
• Pulmonary edema
• Delayed growth
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Coughing, grunting, or wheezing
• Skin retraction between the ribs and collarbone
• Difficulty feeding

Learn more about bronchopulmonary dysplasia.