Liver vitamin A reserves of very low birth weight neonates

Pediatr Res. 1985 Sep;19(9):892-3. doi: 10.1203/00006450-198509000-00003.

Abstract

This study assessed the liver vitamin A concentrations at birth in a group of very low birth weight neonates (n = 25) (less than 1500 g birth weight, less than 32 wk gestation), dying within 24 h of birth, prior to possible changes in vitamin A status induced by postnatal intervention. Serum concentrations of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein were also measured in 16 of these neonates. The mean (+/- SD) liver vitamin A concentration was 30.0 +/- 12.9 micrograms/g (range 2.0-49.0 micrograms/g). The mean (+/- SD) serum vitamin A concentration was 13.0 +/- 4.7 micrograms/dl (range 6.7-22.8 micrograms/dl). The mean (+/- SD) serum retinol-binding protein concentration was 2.2 +/- 0.8 mg/dl (range 1.5-4.8 mg/dl). Liver vitamin A, serum vitamin A, and serum retinol-binding protein concentrations did not correlate significantly with gestational age or birth weight. Linear regression analysis did not show a significant correlation between liver vitamin A, and serum vitamin A or retinol-binding protein concentrations. This study provides reference values for vitamin A concentrations at birth in very low birth weight neonates, which may be helpful in future studies designed to evaluate postnatal changes in the vitamin A status of these high-risk neonates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / blood
  • Vitamin A / blood
  • Vitamin A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Retinol-Binding Proteins
  • Vitamin A