Intramuscular versus enteral vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight neonates.
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.
Rush
M G
MG
Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2370.
Shenai
J P
JP
Parker
R A
RA
Chytil
F
F
D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014801:Vitamin A