title: Effect of carotenoid supplementation on plasma carotenoids, inflammation and visual development in preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dietary carotenoids (lutein, lycopene and β-carotene) may be important in preventing or ameliorating prematurity complications. Little is known about carotenoid status or effects of supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled multicenter trial compared plasma carotenoid levels among preterm infants (n=203, <33 weeks gestational age) fed diets with and without added lutein, lycopene and β-carotene with human milk (HM)-fed term infants. We assessed safety and health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma carotenoid levels were higher in the supplemented group at all time points (P<0.0001) and were similar to those of term HM-fed infants. Supplemented infants had lower plasma C-reactive protein (P<0.001). Plasma lutein levels correlated with the full field electroretinogram-saturated response amplitude in rod photoreceptors (r=0.361, P=0.05). The supplemented group also showed greater rod photoreceptor sensitivity (least squares means 6.1 vs 4.1; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotenoid supplementation for preterm infants raises plasma concentrations to those observed in HM-fed term infants. Carotenoid supplementation may decrease inflammation. Our results point to protective effects of lutein on preterm retina health and maturation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606, USA. lrubin@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Barrett-Reis
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ashmeade
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mackey
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dimmit
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Adamkin
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein