Table. Epidemiologic data, baseline characteristics, maternal characteristics and average vitamin D intake in the study population
400-IU group (n=25)
800-IU group (n=25)
p-value
Gestational age (wks)1 32.5 ± 2.9 32.7 ± 2.4 0.75
Birth weight (g)1 1768 ± 544 1679 ± 474 0.54
Postnatal age (days)2 11.0
(9.8 - 15.4)
11.0 (9.2 - 13.9)
0.66
Male sex3 9 (36%) 8 (32%) 1.00
Inborn3 12 (48%) 8 (32%) 0.40
Cesarean delivery3 15 (60%) 17 (68%) 0.77
Season3 Fall Winter Spring Summer
7 (28%) 8 (32%) 6 (24%) 4 (16%)
6 (24%) 7 (28%) 4 (16%) 3 (12%)
0.99
One-minute Apgar score2 6 (4-8) 6 (4-8) 0.60
Five-minute Apgar score2 9 (7-10) 8 (7-10) 0.55
Feeding3
Exclusive breast feeding Formula Feeding
Mixed feeding
3 (12%) 11 (44%) 11 (44%)
6 (24%) 9 (36%) 10 (40%)
0.60
Culture proven sepsis3 7 (28%) 10 (40%) 0.55
Heart rate (beat/min) 1 117.4 ± 36.7 126.6 ± 38.4 0.39 Respiratory rate (beat/min) 1 75.1 ± 8.9 69.6 ± 10.9 0.05 Mean arterial blood pressure (mmHg) 1 37.8 ± 14.7 44.5 ± 15.7 0.19
Apnea3 6 (24%) 7 (28%) 0.75
Feeding intolerance3 16 (64%) 12 (48%) 0.57
Seizures3 0 1 (4%) 0.48
Hypothermia3 17 (68%) 11 (44%) 0.35
Respiratory distress syndrome3 13 (52%) 15 (60%) 0.78 Total leucocyte count (×103/mm3)1 19.7 ± 6.1 19.6 ± 6.8 0.97 Platelet count (×103/mm3)1 114.2 ± 61.7 118.0 ± 64.9 0.83 C-reactive protein (mg/dL)2 45 (12-122) 48 (12-152) 0.33 Maternal Characteristics
Maternal age (years)1 Parity1
Antenatal steroids3
24.7 ± 6.3 1.8 ± 0.9 14 (56%) 5 (20%)
24.4 ± 6.2 1.6 ± 0.8 16 (64%) 6 (24%) 6 (24%)
0.88 0.62 0.77 1.0 1.0
Gestational diabetes3 Gestational hypertension3
Premature rupture of membranes3
5 (20%) 3 (12%)
5 (20%) 0.70
Average total vitamin D intake2 (IU/day) 640 (545-712)
1080 (909-1131)
<0.001
Data expressed as mean ± SD1, median (interquartile range)2, and as number (%)3
Figure: Flow diagram showing allocation of subjects to the study.
Assessed for eligibility (n=73)
Eligible (n=68)
Excluded (n=5)
Congenital malformation (n=2)
Chromosomal abnormality (n=3)
Refused consent (n=18)
Randomized (n=50)
Analyzed at 40 weeks of PMA (n=21)
Lost-to-follow-up (n=4):
Died before follow-up (n=4)
Discontinued intervention (n=0) 400 IU/day group (n=25) Received allocated treatment (n=25)
Lost-to-follow-up (n=2):
Died before follow-up (n=2)
Discontinued intervention (n=0) 800 IU/day group (n=25) Received allocated treatment (n=25)
