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Vitamin A provision for preterm infants: are we meeting current guidelines?

H Mactier1, M M Mokaya, L Farrell

  • 1Neonatal Unit, Princess Royal Maternity, Glasgow, UK. helen.mactier@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|January 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants often do not receive adequate vitamin A in the first two weeks of life. Early initiation of intravenous vitamin A and consideration of oral supplementation may be necessary.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Vitamin Metabolism

Background:

  • Preterm infants exhibit lower vitamin A stores at birth than term infants.
  • Current vitamin A intake recommendations for preterm infants range from 700-1500 IU/kg/day.
  • Optimal early nutrition is critical for preterm infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess vitamin A intake adequacy in preterm infants during the first four weeks of life.
  • To identify feeding patterns associated with sufficient vitamin A intake in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case note review conducted at a UK tertiary neonatal unit.
  • Study included 36 preterm infants (median gestation 30 weeks).
  • Evaluated mean daily total vitamin A intake over the first four weeks of life.

Main Results:

  • Only 11% of infants met recommended vitamin A intake in the first two weeks.
  • Vitamin A adequacy was not influenced by gestational age or feeding pattern.
  • Intravenous lipid with fat-soluble vitamins was initiated on day 2 per policy.

Conclusions:

  • Current intravenous vitamin A supplementation guidelines for preterm infants need revision.
  • Early initiation of intravenous lipids with vitamins is recommended.
  • Consider early oral vitamin A for enterally fed preterm infants.
Abstract

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