| Abstract: | Serum vitamin E levels were measured in 17 very low-birth weight infants in the first 2 wk of life, before and after the institution of intravenous vitamin E supplementation in a dosage of 4.5 mg/day, as a component of MVI Pediatric multivitamin preparation. Serum vitamin E levels were 0.22 +/- 0.16 (SD) mg/dl before supplementation, and rose to 2.55 +/- 0.65 (SD) mg/dl in nine infants more than 899 g birth weight, and rose to 3.68 +/- 0.70 (SD) mg/dl in six infants less than 900 g at birth. These postsupplementation serum vitamin E levels are in the range in which a reduction of incidence or severity of retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular cerebral hemorrhage has been reported by others. No toxic effects of the preparation or of the increased vitamin E levels were found. |
