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Intestinal absorption of vitamin E in low birth weight infants
Insights
Water-soluble vitamin E (Ephynal) showed superior intestinal absorption in low birth weight infants compared to lipid-soluble vitamin E (E-vitamin). Ephynal achieved higher serum-alpha-tocopherol levels, especially in very low birth weight infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Vitamins and supplements
- Gastrointestinal physiology
Background:
- Low birth weight infants are at risk for vitamin E deficiency.
- Vitamin E is crucial for infant development and antioxidant protection.
- Different formulations of vitamin E exist, with varying absorption characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the intestinal absorption of water-soluble (Ephynal) and lipid-soluble (E-vitamin) vitamin E preparations in low birth weight infants.
- To determine the impact of feeding methods on vitamin E absorption.
- To assess the efficacy of Ephynal in achieving adequate serum-alpha-tocopherol levels.
Main Methods:
- Intestinal absorption study in low birth weight infants.
- Administration of vitamin E from day one of life (Ephynal vs. E-vitamin).
- Serum-alpha-tocopherol concentration measurements at baseline, day 3, and day 7.
- Correlation analysis between feeding ratios and serum tocopherol levels.
Main Results:
- Both vitamin E preparations increased serum-alpha-tocopherol levels.
- Ephynal resulted in significantly higher mean serum-alpha-tocopherol on day 7 (41.4 +/- 10.7 mumol/l) compared to E-vitamin (26.7 +/- 12.5 mumol/l).
- Higher oral/total feeding ratios correlated with increased tocopherol absorption from E-vitamin.
- Ephynal (25 mg/day) in infants <1000g birth weight achieved levels comparable to higher doses of oral vitamin E.
Conclusions:
- Water-soluble vitamin E (Ephynal) demonstrates superior intestinal absorption in low birth weight infants.
- The route and method of feeding influence vitamin E absorption, particularly for lipid-soluble preparations.
- Ephynal is an effective option for improving vitamin E status in vulnerable low birth weight infants, even at moderate doses.
Abstract:
Intestinal absorption of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate was studied in low birth weight infants. Vitamin E was given from the first day of life, either as a water-soluble (Ephynal) or as a lipid-soluble preparation (E-vitamin). Serum-alpha-tocopherol concentrations were determined before treatment and on days three and seven. Treatment with both vitamin E preparations increased serum-alpha-tocopherol on day three and seven. The mean serum-alpha-tocopherol +/- SD on day seven were 41.4 +/- 10.7 mumol/l for the Ephynal group and 26.7 +/- 12.5 mumol/l for the E-vitamin group, this difference being statistically significant (p less than 0.025). Oral feeding seems to influence the absorption of tocopherol from E-vitamin, as the infants with the highest serum-alpha-tocopherol concentrations were those with the highest oral/total feeding ratios. In infants with birth weight less than 1 000 g treatment with 25 mg Ephynal/day was found to increase serum-alpha-tocopherol on day seven to 46.9 +/- 12.3 mumol/l (mean +/- SD). This concentration is comparable to those reported by others using higher doses of oral vitamin E.