Plasma vitamin C levels are low in premature infants fed human milk.
To evaluate the vitamin C nutritional status of premature infants, plasma vitamin C concentrations were measured in 7 neonates born before 32 wk of gestation and in 13 premature infants born at or after 32 wk of gestation. Samples of umbilical venous plasma from 14 full-term infants were analyzed to provide reference values. Oral feedings with pooled, pasteurized milk from human donors were initiated 1-3 days after birth and intake was gradually increased to 200 ml X kg X day during the second week. After 2 wk, the 13 larger infants received approximately half of their daily milk intake from their own mothers. Results showed that plasma concentrations of vitamin C decline rapidly after birth and approach very low levels in preterm infants fed pasteurized, pooled human milk.
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008895:Milk, Human
D001205:Ascorbic Acid