Vitamin E supplementation in very-low-birth-weight infants: long-term follow-up at two different levels of vitamin E supplementation

Abstract

This study evaluates the need of vitamin E supplementation in very-low-birth-weight infants by long-term follow-up of plasma vitamin E status during the first 15 mo of life, with two different levels of supplementation. The subjects were 51 newborn infants with birth weights less than or equal to 1520 g. During hospitalization the infants were fed human milk. On the third day of life oral vitamin E supplementation of less than or equal to 10 mg/d was started in all infants. In addition, 23 infants selected at random were given intramuscular vitamin E (20 mg/kg/d) during the first 3 d. The data indicate that the 10 mg/d supplement resulted in an adequate plasma concentration of vitamin E. After cessation of supplementation at age 3 mo, the risk of low plasma vitamin E levels increased. Although intramuscular administration resulted in long-lasting increments in mean plasma vitamin E values, some later levels in these infants were marginal.

Relationships between Red Blood Cell Vitamin E and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in the Premature Infant

“…Although LBWI formulas present a balanced ratio between aT and PUFA. an aT supplementation has been ad vocated [4] in LBWI which remain at risk of aT deficiency during the first months of life [5], In LBWI [7] such as in adults decreased aT levels are associated with increased excre tion of peroxidation products.…”

“…Ad ministration of n-3 long chain PUFA (20 and more carbon atoms) (LC-PUFA) without vi tamin E supplementation decreases serum aT levels [3]. The low-birth-weight infants (LBWI) have high aT requirements [4] and remain at risk of deficiency during the first KARGER E-Mail kargcr@kargcr.ch F ax+ 41 61 306 12 34 http://www.karger.ch year of life [5], In LBWI decreased aT blood levels are also associated with low antioxidant reserve [6] and higher excretion of peroxida tion products [7], However, only a few reports have studied the evolution of both PUFA and LC-PUFA and vitamin E membrane content in relation with time and n-3 PUFA supply in the LBWI [8],…”