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Effects of lutein supplementation on biological antioxidant status in preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial
Simonetta Costa1, Carmen Giannantonio, Costantino Romagnoli
1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. simocosta@yahoo.it
Insights
Oral lutein supplementation did not enhance total antioxidant status (TAS) in preterm infants. Further research is needed to determine optimal lutein bioavailability for neonatal supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Antioxidant research
- Preterm infant care
Background:
- Preterm infants are vulnerable to oxidative stress.
- Lutein, an antioxidant, is crucial for development.
- Understanding lutein's role in preterm infants is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of lutein supplementation on total antioxidant status (TAS) in preterm infants.
- To compare TAS levels between infants receiving lutein and those receiving a placebo.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving preterm infants (gestational age ≤34 weeks).
- Daily oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin or placebo until 40 weeks postmenstrual age.
- Measurement of total antioxidant status (TAS) throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in TAS between lutein and placebo groups.
- A significant positive linear correlation was observed between plasma lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations and TAS.
- Study included 77 preterm infants with a mean gestational age of 30.4 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Oral lutein supplementation is ineffective in improving biological antioxidant capacity in preterm infants.
- Further studies are required to optimize lutein bioavailability and supplementation strategies for neonates.
Objective:
To test the hypothesis that lutein, compared to the placebo, would enhance the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the preterm infants.
Methods:
Infants with gestational age (GA) ≤34 weeks were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of lutein and zeaxanthin (0.5 mg + 0.02 mg/kg/d) or placebo from the 7th day of life until 40th week of postmenstrual age or until discharge.
Results:
Seventy-seven preterm infants were randomized (38 in the Lutein group and 39 in the Placebo group) with mean GA of 30.4 (±2.3) weeks and the mean birth weight of 1415 (±457) grams. The TAS did not result statistically different between the two groups during all the study period, but a significant linear correlation was evidenced between plasma lutein concentration and TAS (r = 0.14, p = 0.012) and between plasma zeaxanthin concentration and TAS (r = 0.13, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Supplementation of preterm infants with orally lutein was ineffective in enhancing biological antioxidant capacity. Further studies need to better understand the bioavailability of lutein in the neonatal period in order to identify any best form of supplementation.
Trial Registration Number:
UMIN000007041.
