Plasma vitamin A and E in preterm babies fed on breast milk or formula milk with or without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Plasma vitamin A and E, the antioxidant nutrients copper and zinc, and magn esium were investigated in preterm babies. They were fed on their own mothe r's breast milk, or a formula with, or without, AA and DHA. Vitamin A (2.4 mg/d) and E (15 mg/d) supplements were also given. Vitamin A and E levels o f most of the babies were sub-optimal at birth. The mean concentrations of vitamin E increased in all the groups by the expected date of delivery (EDD ) (p < 0.001). Those fed on their mother's breast milk had the highest valu e compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the mean level of vitamin A (p > 0.05) and copper (p < 0.05) and a decrease in zinc (p < 0.05) between birth and EDD. Concentrations of the two vitamins w ere not different (p > 0.05) between the babies fed on the formula with, an d without, AA and DHA. It is concluded that the amount of AA and DHA incorp orated in the formula milk did not adversely influence the plasma vitamin A and E of the babies.