Vitamin A and E supplementation in breast-fed newborns.
BACKGROUND
Vitamins A and E are two potent antioxidant nutrients that play a significant role in immune function. In contrast to the numerous studies of vitamin A and E status in children, adolescents, and adults, information on term infants, particularly breast-fed infants, is scarce. The goals of the present investigation were to examine the vitamins A and E nutritional status of term breast-fed infants at birth and to assess retinol and tocopherol plasma levels during a 3-month supplementation trial.


METHODS
The study was a prospective, blinded comparison of a supplementation protocol with a placebo in a group of consecutively recruited term newborns. The supplemented group received 3000 IU vitamin A and 5 IU vitamin E orally. The placebo group received a solution of similar viscosity and organoleptic characteristics. Vitamin A and E were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 Spectrasyl column and quantified by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
Vitamin A and E levels steadily increased with age in both groups of infants. However, levels at 3 months were higher in the supplemented than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The data show that supplementation with 3000 IU vitamin A and 5 IU vitamin E for 3 months increases circulating vitamin levels in newborn term babies compared with those in nonsupplemented infants.
Delvin
E E
EE
Département de Biochimie Clinique, H pital Ste-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Salle
B L
BL
Reygrobellet
B
B
Mellier
G
G
Claris
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E