Vitamin trials left later development benefits uncertain in very preterm infants
A review of infant supplementation trials found no clear improvement in survival without neurodevelopmental disability from vitamins A or D. Some hospital outcomes improved, but evidence certainty varied.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Among very preterm or very low birth weight infants, the review did not establish that vitamins A or D improved survival without neurodevelopmental disability. Some vitamins were associated with fewer specific complications during neonatal care, but certainty varied by outcome. Sparse developmental follow-up and differing trial designs prevented a clear conclusion about a supplementation regimen.
Evidence for later development was very uncertain and came from few studies. Most shorter-term findings also had low certainty. The abstract does not detail control regimens, making it difficult to identify precisely what each supplementation comparison tested.
Development and hospital outcomes differed
Survival without neurodevelopmental disability combines being alive with being free of disability affecting development of the brain and nervous system. This outcome remained uncertain. Reported reductions in selected hospital complications should not be treated as proof of improved later development.
Certainty depended on the outcome
Evidence for vitamin E and bleeding within the brain's fluid-filled spaces, and vitamin A and laboratory-confirmed sepsis, was rated moderately certain. Other reported benefits had lower certainty, so the review does not support treating every finding as equally dependable.
The original publication
The effect of vitamin supplementation on neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in very low birth weight and very preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Bronnert A, Bloomfield PM, Páramo LD et al.
PLoS One · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40632831
- Record checked
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