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The Ratio of Body Weight/Length Squared Relates to Low Serum α-Tocopherol in Preterm Infants
Paraskevi Detopoulou1, Panos Papandreou2, Maria Skouroliakou3
1Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, University of Peloponnese, Kalamata, GRC.
Insights
Preterm infants often have low alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels. A new index, weight divided by length squared, may help predict this deficiency in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Preterm infants face high risks of alpha-tocopherol deficiency due to low fat stores, inadequate intake, and malabsorption.
- Limited data exists on predictors for low alpha-tocopherol levels in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess alpha-tocopherol levels at birth in preterm infants.
- To identify anthropometric predictors of low alpha-tocopherol status.
Main Methods:
- Studied 84 preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Recorded weight, length, head circumference, and gestational age.
- Measured alpha-tocopherol levels within 24 hours using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Main Results:
- 31% of preterm infants exhibited alpha-tocopherol deficiency (cutoff <1.5 mg/L).
- A novel index, weight/length² (g/cm²), was identified as a predictor of low vitamin status.
- A ratio >0.81 g/cm² independently correlated with alpha-tocopherol deficiency.
Conclusions:
- A simple, easily measurable index (weight/length²) may aid in early detection of alpha-tocopherol deficiency.
- Further research is required to validate the clinical utility of this proposed index.
Introduction:
Preterm infants are at high risk of developing α-tocopherol deficiency, since fat depots are low, intake may be insufficient, malabsorption may coexist, and dietary needs are high. Data on predictors of low α-tocopherol are still limited. Thus, this study aimed to assess the levels of α-tocopherol in preterm infants at birth and explore its anthropometric predictors.
Methods:
Preterm infants (n=84) from a neonatal intensive care unit were studied. Weight, length, head circumference, and gestational age were recorded. The measurement of α-tocopherol levels was performed in the first 24 hours with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results:
Logistic regression models were applied to identify factors related to low α-tocopherol levels (<1.5 mg/L). The median gestational age was 29.5 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1254 g. Most neonates were of very low birth weight (~89%). About 31% of preterm infants had α-tocopherol deficiency (cutoff <1.5 mg/L). In logistic regression analysis, a newly proposed index, i.e., weight/length2 (measured in g/cm2), was related to low vitamin status. More particularly, a ratio >0.81 g/cm2 was related to α-tocopherol deficiency independently of other covariates.
Conclusion:
Further studies are needed to prove the usefulness of this "easy-to-measure" proposed index in the early detection of α-tocopherol deficiency.
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