Liver vitamin A reserves of very low birth weight neonates

Abstract

This study assessed the liver vitamin A concentrations at birth in a group of very low birth weight neonates (n = 25) (< 1500 g birth weight, < 32 wk gestation), dying within 24 h of birth, prior to possible changes in vitamin A status induced by postnatal intervention. Serum concentrations of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein were also measured in 16 of these neonates. The mean (± SD) liver vitamin A concentration was 30.0 ± 12.9 μg/g (range 2.0-49.0 μg/g)- The mean (± SD) serum vitamin A concentration was 13.0 ± 4.7 μg/dl (range 6.722.8 μg/dl). The mean (± SD) serum retinol-binding protein concentration was 2.2 ± 0.8 μg/dl (range 1.5-4.8 mg/ dl). Liver vitamin A, serum vitamin A, and serum retinol-binding protein concentrations did not correlate significantly with gestational age or birth weight. Linear regression analysis did not show a significant correlation between liver vitamin A, and serum vitamin A or retinol-binding protein concentrations. This study provides reference values for vitamin A concentrations at birth in very low birth weight neonates, which may be helpful in future studies designed to evaluate postnatal changes in the vitamin A status of these high-risk neonates. © 1985 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.