Martínez Juan M, Bartoli Federica, Recaldini Elena, Lavanchy Laure, Bianchetti Mario G
Division of Pediatrics, Ospedale della Beata Vergine Mendrisio and Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Clin Drug Investig. 2006;26(11):663-5. doi: 10.2165/00044011-200626110-00006.
It is recommended that Swiss infants have a minimum intake of 10.0 microg of colecalciferol (vitamin D3) per day during the first 12 months of life. For this reason they are prescribed an alcoholic solution containing colecalciferol. However, it has been stated that the palatability to infants of the alcoholic colecalciferol preparation is poor.
In an ambulatory care setting, the palatability of two liquid preparations that contained colecalciferol dissolved in either alcohol or in vegetable oil was investigated in 40 healthy newborns and 30 infants. Each study subject sampled both preparations once, and the blinded mother rated the child's reaction on a visual analogue scale that incorporated a facial hedonic scale.
In 38 newborns, oily colecalciferol was preferred with no difference between the two preparations in the remaining two cases. In 27 infants, oily colecalciferol was preferred with no difference between the two preparations in three infants. None of the 70 study subjects preferred the alcoholic preparation. The difference between the two preparations was significant both in newborns (p < 0.0001) and in infants (p < 0.0005).
From the perspective of the child, the taste of oily colecalciferol is superior to that of alcoholic colecalciferol.
