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Persistent low plasma vitamin E levels in premature infants surviving respiratory distress syndrome
Insights
Preterm infants surviving respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) have persistently low plasma vitamin E levels. Premature infants without RDS show increasing vitamin E levels, suggesting RDS infants may need more vitamin E supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Respiratory Health
Background:
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common condition in preterm infants.
- Vitamin E is a crucial antioxidant with potential roles in neonatal health.
- Previous studies have not clearly delineated vitamin E levels in preterm infants with and without RDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serial plasma vitamin E levels in preterm infants with and without RDS.
- To investigate the impact of RDS on vitamin E status during the first 8 weeks of life.
- To inform recommendations for vitamin E supplementation in vulnerable preterm populations.
Main Methods:
- Serial measurement of plasma vitamin E levels in two groups of preterm infants: those surviving RDS and a control group without RDS.
- Monitoring vitamin E intake to ensure comparability between groups.
- Analysis of plasma vitamin E concentrations over the first 8 weeks of life.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants surviving RDS exhibited persistently low plasma vitamin E levels.
- In contrast, premature infants without RDS demonstrated a gradual increase in plasma vitamin E levels towards adult levels.
- No significant difference in vitamin E intake was observed between the RDS and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Plasma vitamin E levels differ significantly between preterm infants with and without RDS.
- Data on plasma vitamin E should not be pooled for infants with and without RDS when establishing reference values.
- Preterm infants with RDS may require increased supplemental vitamin E compared to their non-RDS counterparts.
Abstract:
Plasma vitamin E levels were determined serially in preterm infants surviving respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and in premature infants without RDS (control). Vitamin E intakes of the RDS and control infant group were not significantly different. The results of the study show that preterm infants surviving RDS have a persistent low plasma vitamin E level throughout the first 8 weeks of life. In contrast, in premature infants without RDS the plasma vitamin E level gradually increases to the adult level throughout the first 8 weeks of life. It is concluded that data on plasma vitamin E levels in premature infants with and without RDS should not be pooled together to obtain reference values. It is further suggested that premature infants with RDS might need more supplemental vitamin E than premature infants without RDS.