Effect of vitamin A supplementation of intravenous lipids on early vitamin A intake and status of premature infants

Abstract

Preterm infants were randomly assigned to receive routine vitamin A supplementation (Regular A) or additional vitamin A in intravenous lipids (High A). Because infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have poorer vitamin A status than infants who do not develop BPD, High A and Regular A infants were divided by BPD (no or yes) before determining the effects of treatment on intake and plasma concentration of retinol in the first month. Compared with infants without BPD, those with BPD received less retinol (RE.kg-1.d-1) if assigned to Regular A and more if assigned to High A (BPD by vitamin A interaction, P < 0.002). High A-BPD infants compared with Regular A-BPD infants had significantly higher plasma retinol concentrations in the first month. Retinyl palmitate appears to be an effective adjunct to routine vitamin A administration. Infants most likely to benefit from receiving vitamin A in intravenous lipids are those advanced more slowly to full enteral feeding.