Plasma levels of fat-soluble vitamins A and E in neonates, after administration of two different vitamin solutions.
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 different vitamin solutions on plasma levels of vitamin A and E during and after short term total parenteral nutrition (TPN), after neonatal surgery. 2 compounds were compared, one with a higher vitamin A content (100 mu g/ml) and no vitamin E and one with vitamin E (0.64 mg/ml) and a lower vitamin A content (69 mu g/ml). 2 randomly chosen groups of 10 neonates were studied each with gastrointestinal malformations. The groups were comparable regarding gestational age (GA), weight and length. Diagnoses within the groups were similar. TPN was given after corrective surgery for a median time of 6.5 days to both groups. Vitamin A and retinol binding protein (RBP) levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) above the pre-treatment level in patients receiving supplementation with a higher dosage of vitamin A (100 mu g/ml). In patients receiving the lower dose of vitamin A (69 mu g/ml) plasma levels of this vitamin were unchanged but RBP levels fell significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin E levels in the group of patients receiving vitamin E supplementation as compared with the unsupplemented group. In both groups vitamin E levels increased significantly (p < 0.005) after introduction of oral feeding. The results indicate that even during short term TPN endogenous stores of vitamin A might become depleted. In spite of the fact that no vitamin A deficiency was noted it seems obvious that a higher vitamin A intake is advisable which is in accordance with the recommendations from the Subcommittee on Paediatric Parenteral Nutrient Requirements from the Committee on Clinical Practice Issues of The American Society for Clinical Nutrition.
Drott
P
P
Dept of Paediatric Surgery, University Childrens Hospital Uppsala, Sweden.
Ewald
U
U
Meurling
S
S