Effect of vitamin E therapy on blood coagulation tests in newborn infants.

A double-blind randomized trial of vitamin E therapy was conducted in premature infants whose birth weight was less than 1,500 gm. Treated infants received 25 mg of vitamin E daily by mouth for the first six weeks of life. Detailed studies of plasma coagulation factors were performed prior to therapy and at days 7 and 42. None of the factors differed significantly between the treated and control groups. Although vitamin E therapy has been reported to affect the blood levels of vitamin K dependent coagulation factors, no such effect was noted in this group of premature infants.