Vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Is it beneficial?

Background: Neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic neonatal respiratory disease that is precipitated by prolonged oxygenation and mechanical ventilation (MV), leading to respiratory distress (RD). Aim of Study: The aim of the study is to assess the role of Vitamin D as adjuvant treatment in the prevention and management of BPD in neonates. Patients and Methods: Prospective randomized controlled trial with identification number TCTR20210622001 on 100 premature neonates who had RD and were put on MV. The examined neonates were classified into 2 groups: Group 1, which received Vitamin D (Vit D), and Group 2, which had placebo. Urinary β2-microglobulin (B2M) in addition to plasma Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels were measured on the 1st and the 14th day of hospitalization. Results: There was a decrease in urinary B2M and plasma KL-6 levels in Group 1, if compared with Group 2 neonates (P < 0.05). There was a decrease in hospitalization in Group 1 neonates (P < 0.05). Group 1 neonates showed a decrease of the developed BPD cases (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vit D supplementation may help in the prevention of BPD in neonates, but further studies with larger number of neonates should be done. Recommendation: Routine Vit D supplementation in a dose of 800 IU to preterm who are susceptible to develop BPD.