EFFECT OF VITAMIN-A SUPPLEMENTATION OF INTRAVENOUS LIPIDS ON EARLY VITAMIN-A INTAKE AND STATUS OF PREMATURE-INFANTS

Preterm infants were randomly assigned to receive routine vitamin A su pplementation (Regular A) or additional vitamin A in intravenous lipid s (High A). Because infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have poorer vitamin A status than infants who do not develop BPD, High A a nd Regular A infants were divided by BPD (no or yes) before determinin g the effects of treatment on intake and plasma concentration of retin ol in the first month. Compared with infants without BPD, those with B PD received less retinol (RE kg(-1) d(-1)) if assigned to Regular A an d more if assigned to High A (BPD by vitamin A interaction, P < 0.002) . High A-BPD infants compared with Regular A-BPD infants had significa ntly higher plasma retinol concentrations in the first month. Retinyl palmitate appears to be an effective adjunct to routine vitamin A admi nistration. Infants most likely to benefit from receiving vitamin A in intravenous lipids are those advanced more slowly to full enteral fee ding.