Further observations on the use of single massive doses of vitamin D in the prevention of rickets

Abstract

Study of a second series of infants on single massive doses of vitamin D for the prevention of rickets again shows the effectiveness of this method of prophylaxis. The plan of administration followed was to give 50,000 units of vitamin D at 1 month of age, 50,000 units at 2 months, and 600,000 units at 3 months of age. The 50,000 units were administered in liquid form in the formula and the 600,000 units were given in powder form (ertron) in cereal. Both dosages were well tolerated. Although it has been shown that 600,000 units of vitamin D may be given safely to very young infants, even premature ones, the method of dosage followed in this work precludes even the slightest possibility of vitamin D overdosage. Due to war conditions it was possible to follow only twenty-one out of fifty infants originally enrolled in the study. Two of these infants showed slight rachitic changes at the ulnar metaphysis on roentgenogram one month after a second dose of 50,000 units of vitamin D. At this point 600,000 units of vitamin D was administered and in each case the rachitic process on roentgenogram was found to be healed four months and five days later. The remaining nineteen infants showed no rickets on first x-ray picture and remained protected on the dosage outlined for a total observation period of from four to nine months. Study of a second series of infants on single massive doses of vitamin D for the prevention of rickets again shows the effectiveness of this method of prophylaxis. The plan of administration followed was to give 50,000 units of vitamin D at 1 month of age, 50,000 units at 2 months, and 600,000 units at 3 months of age. The 50,000 units were administered in liquid form in the formula and the 600,000 units were given in powder form (ertron) in cereal. Both dosages were well tolerated. Although it has been shown that 600,000 units of vitamin D may be given safely to very young infants, even premature ones, the method of dosage followed in this work precludes even the slightest possibility of vitamin D overdosage. Due to war conditions it was possible to follow only twenty-one out of fifty infants originally enrolled in the study. Two of these infants showed slight rachitic changes at the ulnar metaphysis on roentgenogram one month after a second dose of 50,000 units of vitamin D. At this point 600,000 units of vitamin D was administered and in each case the rachitic process on roentgenogram was found to be healed four months and five days later. The remaining nineteen infants showed no rickets on first x-ray picture and remained protected on the dosage outlined for a total observation period of from four to nine months.