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Improved vitamin A supplementation regimen for breastfed very low birth weight infants

Anne K Aurvåg1, Christine Henriksen, Christian A Drevon

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital and Akershus Faculty Division, University of Oslo, Norway. anne.aurvaag@ahus.no

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A new vitamin A protocol significantly improved plasma retinol levels in very low birth weight infants at hospital discharge. This modified approach enhances nutritional status for vulnerable preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Vitamin A metabolism

Background:

  • Preterm infants, particularly very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, often present with suboptimal retinol status at birth and hospital discharge.
  • Low vitamin A levels can impact infant development and health outcomes.
  • Existing protocols may not adequately address the vitamin A needs of VLBW infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate a novel protocol for vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight infants.
  • To determine if the new protocol can improve plasma retinol concentrations at hospital discharge.
  • To compare the efficacy of the modified vitamin A protocol against standard care in Norwegian hospitals.

Main Methods:

  • An open intervention trial involving 60 VLBW infants (birth weight < 1500 g).
  • Vitamin A was administered daily mixed with human milk via a fortifier, with dosage adjusted by body weight.
  • Plasma retinol levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography at enrollment and discharge.

Main Results:

  • The modified protocol group showed significantly higher median plasma retinol concentrations at discharge (0.49 microM) compared to the reference group (0.30 microM; p = 0.008).
  • A lower percentage of infants in the modified group had plasma retinol levels below 0.35 microM (44%) compared to the reference group (69%; p = 0.04).
  • These findings suggest improved hepatic stores of vitamin A in infants receiving the modified protocol.

Conclusions:

  • The modified vitamin A supplementation protocol effectively improved plasma retinol levels in VLBW infants by hospital discharge.
  • This new protocol offers a promising strategy to enhance vitamin A status in this vulnerable population.
  • Further research may explore long-term outcomes associated with improved retinol status in VLBW infants.
Abstract

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