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Intramuscular versus enteral vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight neonates
M G Rush1, J P Shenai, R A Parker
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2370.
Insights
Intramuscular vitamin A supplementation is more effective than enteral administration in increasing plasma vitamin A levels for very low birth weight neonates. Enteral vitamin A is less effective in these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Pharmacology
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates have unique nutritional requirements.
- Vitamin A is crucial for infant development and immune function.
- Optimal routes for vitamin A supplementation in VLBW infants require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of enteral versus intramuscular vitamin A administration.
- To determine the impact on plasma vitamin A concentrations in VLBW neonates.
- To establish the most effective supplementation strategy for this population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 51 VLBW neonates.
- Comparison of plasma vitamin A levels between enteral and intramuscular administration groups.
- Monitoring of vitamin A concentrations throughout the trial period.
Main Results:
- Intramuscular administration led to significantly higher plasma vitamin A concentrations by day 7.
- This difference in plasma vitamin A levels was sustained for the duration of the study.
- Enteral supplementation did not achieve the same plasma concentrations as intramuscular.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A supplementation via the enteral route is less effective than intramuscular administration in VLBW neonates.
- Intramuscular vitamin A is superior for achieving target plasma concentrations in this cohort.
- Clinical guidelines may need to consider the route of administration for vitamin A supplementation.
Abstract:
We conducted a randomized trial in very low birth weight neonates (n = 51) to determine whether vitamin A supplementation by enteral administration would increase plasma vitamin A concentrations to the same degree as by intramuscular administration. Mean plasma vitamin A concentrations were significantly higher in the intramuscular-administration group than in the enteral-administration group by postnatal day 7; this effect persisted throughout the remainder of the trial. At the dosage used in this trial, vitamin A supplementation by the enteral route is not as effective as that by the intramuscular route in very low birth weight neonates.