Comparison of the effects of different doses of vitamin D supplementation on the development of necrotizing enterocolitis: A retrospective study

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of vitamin D supplementation (400 and 800 IU) on the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and potential differences in the clinical course of the disease in preterm infants. In addition, the potential correlation between D levels and NEC stage severity was assessed. Medical records of 363 preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) were retrospectively reviewed. Infants who developed NEC were divided into two groups based on the dose of vitamin D supplementation (400 and 800 IU/day). A comparison was made between the two groups with respect to demographic data, the severity of NEC, maternal and infant vitamin D levels, length of hospital stay, incidence of sepsis, and mortality rates. The incidence of NEC was significantly lower during the period when 800 IU of vitamin D was administered (7.7%) compared with the period when 400 IU was administered (12.6%). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of NEC stage, mortality rates, or length of hospital stay. An inverse correlation was found between maternal and infant vitamin D levels and NEC stage severity, suggesting that the role of vitamin D metabolism in NEC pathogenesis may be more complex.