Plasma ascorbic acid levels in premature infants.
During gestation the fetus is abundantly provided with vitamin C, but inadequate postnatal provision of the vitamin may lead to early hypoascorbemia. Since premature newborns are often prevented from full alimentation for a considerable length of time, ascorbate deficiency may result. Plasma ascorbate levels of 20 premature newborns were determined during the first two weeks of life. Daily ascorbate intake of less than 5 mg/kg b. w. resulted in a decline of plasma ascorbate level from 1.56 +/- 0.15 mg/100 ml (mean +/- SEM) on the first day of life to a low level of 0.48 +/- 0.05 mg/100 ml by two weeks of age. An increase of daily ascorbate intake to 5--10 mg/kg b.w. resulted in a higher plasma concentration of 0.79 +/- 0.09 mg/100 ml (p less than 0.02) while parenteral supplementation of 50 mg vitamin C daily provided for a high plasma concentration of 2.7 +/- 0.46 mg/100 ml (p less than 0.005) when compared with the other two groups. Maturational and environmental factors may impose a higher demand for vitamin C during early premature life and therefore adequate amounts of the vitamin should be early provided.
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature
D001205:Ascorbic Acid