Persistent low plasma vitamin E levels in premature infants surviving respiratory distress syndrome.

Plasma vitamin E levels were determined serially in preterm infants surviving respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and in premature infants without RDS (control). Vitamin E intakes of the RDS and control infant group were not significantly different. The results of the study show that preterm infants surviving RDS have a persistent low plasma vitamin E level throughout the first 8 weeks of life. In contrast, in premature infants without RDS the plasma vitamin E level gradually increases to the adult level throughout the first 8 weeks of life. It is concluded that data on plasma vitamin E levels in premature infants with and without RDS should not be pooled together to obtain reference values. It is further suggested that premature infants with RDS might need more supplemental vitamin E than premature infants without RDS.