PLASMA-LEVELS OF RETINOL, RETINOL-BINDING PROTEIN, ALL-TRANS BETA-CAROTENE AND CRYPTOXANTHIN IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

In neonatal medicine, it is thought that retinol is useful for prevent ing CLD and for fetal development. However, beta-carotene and other vi tamin A precursors have not been studied in neonates with CLD or other disorders. Cord blood of neonates including ELBW and VLBW infants was assayed for plasma levels of retinol, REP, beta-carotene and cryptoxa nthin. Plasma beta-carotene levels in ELBW and VLBW were lower than th at in term infants, but plasma cryptoxanthin levels in ELBW and VLBW w ere about the same as in term infants. Plasma retinol and REP levels s howed almost same levels during 23-41 gestational weeks. Maternal smok ing reduced plasma beta-carotene but not cryptoxanthin, retinol, or RE P levels. IUGR was associated with increased cryptoxanthin levels in c ord blood. Serious neonatal diseases, including CLD and ROP manifested no significant effects on the cord blood vitamin levels. Thus, the oc currence of these diseases at birth could not be predicted by examinat ion of vitamin levels in cord blood.