Relationship of vitamin A (retinol) status to lung disease in the preterm infant

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(84)80432-1Get rights and content

Plasma concentrations of retinol and retinol-binding protein were measured at birth in 91 preterm infants. In 64% of these babies retinol values were <20 μg/dl, suggestive of vitamin A deficiency. Forty-seven of these infants were observed with sequential measurements of retinol and retinol binding protein through 21 days of age. In babies with respiratory distress syndrome retinol values were similar to those in babies without respiratory distress syndrome. The retinol binding protein levels were lower on the third day of life in babies with respiratory distress syndrome. Babies who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia had lower concentrations of retinol at birth (P<0.05) and on day 21 (P<0.05) than did babies who did not develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia, despite receiving recommended intakes of vitamin A. Many preterm infants are deficient in vitamin A at birth, and failure to correct this deficiency may contribute to the development of chronic lung disease.

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    Presented at the Midwest Society of Pediatric Research, Chicago, November 1983.

    Supported in part by Madison General Medical Surgical Foundation, NIH-SCOR P-50-HL-27358, and National Research Service Award 1 F32 HD06507-01 (V.A.H.).

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