Plasma vitamin E values in the newborn

Plasma vitamin E values of newborn infants in a Coloured population of Cape Town have been determined. The mean plasma alpha-tocopherol value was 3,2 +/- 0,8 mg/l. A significant correlation between the plasma alpha-tocopherol level and plasma total lipid content (r = 0,45; P less than 0,001) and plasma cholesterol level (r = 0,65; P less than 0,001) has been found. However, maternal and neonatal plasma vitamin E levels were unrelated.