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Vitamin E Levels in Preterm and Full-Term Infants: A Systematic Review
Débora Gabriela Fernandes Assunção1, Lorena Thalia Pereira da Silva2, Juliana Dantas de Araújo Santos Camargo3
1Post Graduate Program in Nutrition, Health Science Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil.
Nutrients
|June 10, 2022
Summary
Vitamin E deficiency is common in both preterm and full-term newborns, with levels below recommendations. Further research is needed to standardize vitamin E monitoring in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition and Metabolism
- Pediatric Neurology
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background:
- Vitamin E deficiency (VED) has known clinical effects in preterm newborns (PTN).
- Low vitamin E levels are also observed in full-term newborns (TN).
- Inadequate vitamin E may impact childhood neurogenesis, necessitating further investigation into neonatal status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize available data on vitamin E status in PTN and TN.
- To assess differences in vitamin E status based on gestational age.
- To inform neonatal monitoring protocols for vitamin E.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched observational studies evaluating alpha-tocopherol levels.
- Assessed methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- Included 10 studies from 1809 retrieved articles.
- Alpha-tocopherol levels in PTN ranged from 3.9 to 8.5 mmol/L; in TN, 4.9 to 14.9 mmol/L.
- Reported VED prevalence varied widely (19% to 100%) across studies.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest alpha-tocopherol levels are below recommended levels in both PTN and TN.
- Substantial heterogeneity exists in research methodology and VED classification.
- Further investigation is required to standardize VED classification and improve neonatal vitamin E monitoring.
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