Neonates' vitamin A status in relation to birth weight, gestational age, and sex

Vitamin A status was assessed in a randomly selected group of neonates at delivery. A total of 105 neonates were included in the study. Cord vitamin A concentration was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Of 105 neonates, 53 (50.5 per cent) were males and 49 49.5 per cent) were females. The mean body weight of male neonates was slightly greater that that of female neonates (3271 +/- 575 vs. 3139 +/- 552 g). Mean cord plasma vitamin A level of the males was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the female neonates (12.2 +/- 4.6 and 14.7 +/- 5.2 micrograms/100 ml respectively). The mean body weight of premature neonates (2186 +/- 530 g) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared with the mean body weight of full term neonates (3279 +/- 495 g). Cord plasma of preterm neonates had mean value of vitamin A significantly lower (p < 0.05) than full term neonates (8.3 +/- 3.2 vs 13.8 +/- 4.5 micrograms/100 ml). A trend of increasing birth weight with increasing cord plasma vitamin A level was evident.