To investigate the association between vitamin A and iron metabolism, two studies were carried out: a cross-sectional study and an intervention trial. The cross-sectional analysis was carried out in 1060 children aged 1-8 y. Multiple-regression analysis was used to adjust for effects of age, gender, indices of the protein nutritional status, and infections. Retinol was significantly associated with hematocrit, serum Fe, transferrin, ferritin, and saturation of transferrin (%ST). To obtain further evidence as to whether this observed association is a causal one, an intervention trial was carried out. After collection of the baseline data of 300 children, 166 children with a hemoglobin concentration less than 7.5 mmol/L were selected. A random sub-sample of 78 children received vitamin A capsules; the other children served as control subjects. Two months after supplementation significant differences, adjusted for age, were found for retinol, retinol-binding protein, serum Fe, and %ST between the supplemented and the control group. After 4 mo none of the indices were found to be significantly different between the supplemented and the control group. Periodic massive doses of vitamin A may play a role in improving the Fe status as well.

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SUMMARY We investigated the effect of the composition of the storage container, Holder pasteurisation, and conditions during tube feeding on the concentration of selected vitamins in human milk. Though the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E were not affected, the concentration of several water soluble vitamins decreased. The lower vitamin C concentration of milk stored in polypropylene containers compared with milk stored in glass containers (29%) was not significant. Holder pasteurisation significantly lowered the concentrations of vitamins C (36%), folacin (31%), and B6 (15%). Tube feeding significantly lowered the concentrations of vitamins C (44%) and B6 (19%), and exposure to phototherapy seemed to lower the vitamin C concentration (53%) further.Low birthweight infants have increased vitamin requirements. Vitamin losses in expressed human milk before or during feeding may increase the incidence of vitamin deficiencies in these babies. Vitamin losses due to these factors have been extensively studied in cows' milk2 but have received little attention in human milk.' 3 Further losses could occur during feeding due to exposure of the milk to light-for example, phototherapy-and by adsorption of vitamins to the walls of the containers and the tubing of the feeding system. These factors do influence the concentration of vitamins B2 and B64 and A, D, and E5 of parenteral solutions. In human milk only the losses of vitamins B2 and A during feeding have been studied.6 7 We therefore studied the influence of pasteurisation, composition of the storage container, and conditions during tube feeding on the concentration of selected vitamins in human milk. Materials and methodsMilk samples. Milk was obtained from healthy mothers who were not receiving any medication or vitamin supplements. Their infants had been born at term and breast fed for one to eight months.

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