, therapy

1a , 25·DIHYDROXYVITAMIN 03 RELIEVES NEONATAL HYPOCALCAEMIA

Coincident with the administration of very small amounts of I a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (I a,25-(0H)2D3) plasma-Ca concentration increased in 6 infants with symptomatic hypocalcaemia. They all became normocalcaemic within 8 days. In 4 of the infants plasma-Ca level started to increase immediately with the drug. In 2 of the infants hypocalcaemia recurred after therapy was stopped. The rapid onset and quick disappearance of the effect of I a ,2S-(OH)2D3 offer advantages over oral vitamin D. ·We believe that administration of appropriate doses of 1 a,25-(0H~D3 is a safe and dependable treatment of protracted neonatal hypocalcaemia ... Our present study indicates that a suitable regimen is to give 1 a,2 5 -(OH)2D3, 0.05p.g! kg body-weight I day, intravenously for approximately 10 days. ' There were no side-effects with this dosage. Kooh. S.W. et al.: Lancet2: 1105 (20 Nov 1916)

INPHARMA 4th December, 1976 p9