[Supplementation of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate in children with chronic cholestasis and vitamin E deficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the oral supplement doses of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate to maintain normal serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in children with chronic cholestasis and vitamin-E deficient.


BACKGROUND
Malabsorption and deficiency of vitamin E in children with chronic cholestasis causes a progressive, neuromuscular degeneration at approximately 18-24 months of life, if left untreated. Using prompt treatment, it can be completely prevented and reversed to normal.


METHODS
Longitudinal, prospective and comparative study was performed on consecutive sixty vitamin E deficient children with chronic cholestasis divided in three groups. After initial evaluation, therapy was started for 15 days in each group with 100 IU, 200 IU and 400 IU/day of oral dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate, respectively; alpha-tocopherol-status, neurological function and biochemical parameters were monitored during therapy.


RESULTS
Any oral supplement does administrated for 15 days of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate were enough to maintain the normalization of alpha-tocopherol status (p > 0.06). Neurological function, which had not deteriorated before entry in the trial, stabilized in all after 15 days of therapy. No adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral supplement of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate for 15 days with 100 IU, 200 IU, and 400 IU, in spite of safety, weren't enough to maintain the alpha-tocopherol serum concentration in children with chronic cholestasis and vitamin-E deficient.
Velasco Benítez
C A
CA
Universidad Industrial de Santander, Hospital Universitario Romón González Valencia, Bucaramanga, Columbia.
Rangel de la Garza
S D
SD
García Aranda
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D024505:Tocopherols; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols
Suplementación de DL-alpha-tocoferol acetato oral en niños con colestasis crónica y déficit de vitamina E.