title: Vitamin A supplementation for extremely low birth weight infants: outcome at 18 to 22 months.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network randomized trial showed that vitamin A supplementation reduced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (O2 at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age) or death in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates (relative risk [RR]: 0.89). As with postnatal steroids or other interventions, it is important to ensure that there are no longer-term adverse effects that outweigh neonatal benefits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if vitamin A supplementation in ELBW infants during the first month after birth affects survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at a corrected age of 18 to 22 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development vitamin A trial were evaluated at 18 to 22 months by carefully standardized assessments: Bayley Mental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Index (PDI), visual and hearing screens, and physical examination for cerebral palsy (CP). The medical history was also obtained. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was predefined as > or =1 of MDI <70, PDI <70, CP, blind in both eyes, or hearing aids in both ears.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 807 enrolled infants, 133 died before and 16 died after discharge. Five hundred seventy-nine (88%) of the 658 remaining infants were followed up. The primary outcome of NDI or death could be determined for 687 of 807 randomized infants (85%). Baseline characteristics and predischarge and postdischarge mortality were comparable in both study groups. NDI or death by 18 to 22 months occurred in 190 of 345 (55%) infants in the vitamin A group and in 204 of 342 (60%) of the control group (RR: 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.80-1.07). RRs for low MDI, low PDI, and CP were also <1.0. We found no evidence that neonatal vitamin A supplementation reduces hospitalizations or pulmonary problems after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin A supplementation for ELBW infants reduces bronchopulmonary dysplasia without increasing mortality or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months. However, this study was not powered to evaluate small magnitudes of change in long-term outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35249, USA. ambal@uab.edu
authors.forename: Namasivayam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ambalavanan
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tyson
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Nellie I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Betty R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Vohr
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Waldemar A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Carlo
mesh_terms: D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000139:chemically induced; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A