VITAMIN STATUS OF INFANTS RECEIVING LONG-TERM PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS

The oral vitamin intakes and blood vitamin concentrations of seven inf ants receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis were measured. The serum concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin B-12, vitamin C and folic acid we re determined. Thiamine and riboflavin were assessed by the activation of erythrocyte transketolase and erythrocyte glutathione reductase, r espectively. Vitamin B-6 was measured as plasma pyridoxal phosphate. A ll patients received a daily vitamin supplement devoid of vitamin A. D ietary vitamin intake was derived from infant formula. In all cases, t he patients' blood concentrations of the water-soluble vitamins were e qual to or greater than normal infant values. Serum vitamin A levels w ere elevated despite the lack of supplementation. The combined dietary /supplemental water-soluble vitamin intake of the patients exceeded th e recommended daily allowance in all but one patient. These preliminar y data emphasize the need to further evaluate the vitamin requirements of infants receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis.