How long should a premature infant take one capsule of vitamin AD and vitamin D3 daily?

Preterm infants should begin taking one capsule of vitamin AD and vitamin D3 daily starting one week after birth. Supplementation should generally continue until approximately two years of age; under favorable conditions, it may be extended up to three years.

A preterm infant is defined as a live-born infant with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks. Preterm birth may result from maternal conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, placental abruption, placenta previa, or chronic maternal illnesses. Preterm infants commonly exhibit thin, delicate skin, impaired thermoregulation, and weakened immune defenses. Additionally, they often have reduced stores of iron, vitamin A, and vitamin D, predisposing them to nutritional deficiencies and diminished adaptive capacity. Under such circumstances, targeted supplementation—specifically one capsule of vitamin AD and vitamin D3 daily—should be administered per medical advice, typically continuing until age two, and potentially up to age three if feasible.

After birth, preterm infants require careful thermal regulation to prevent hypothermia and avoid potentially life-threatening complications. During sleep, infants should be placed in the lateral decubitus position, with frequent repositioning to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia due to regurgitation. After feeding, gently patting the infant’s back helps prevent gastroesophageal reflux and subsequent aspiration into the airway or external auditory canal, thereby avoiding choking or aspiration-related complications.