Early Intravenous Correction of Vitamin E Deficiency in Premature Infants

Abstract

SummaryWe undertook to determine the efficacy of intravenousα tocopheryl acetate in rapidly correcting the vitamin E deficiency of the premature infant. Twenty nine infants were assigned to either a control or treatment group. The latter group received a median intravenous dose of 3 IU/kg/day α tocopheryl acetate as MVI 12 (USV Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). On days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21, plasma tocopherol isomers and peroxide induced hemolysis were analyzed. While all but one control infant with initial tocopherol deficiency were still deficient on day 3, all but two of the treatment infants were normal. Rapid, safe correction is possible with an intravenous multivitamin preparation.