Abstract
Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) tocopherol isomer concentrations were determined serially in 35 premature infants (26-34w gestation) from birth to 6 weeks of age. Blood samples (0.5ml) were collected shortly following birth and thence twice weekly in conjunction with samples obtained for clinical management. Plasma and RBC tocopherol isomers were separated using high pressure liquid chromatography. Following birth, plasma total tocopherol concentration was 0.07 ± 0.05mg/dl. This concentration increased to 0.35 ± 0.24mg/dl by week 6 (range 0.08-0.56). The normal adult plasma tocopherol range in Southampton is 0.63-1.24mg/dl. RBC total tocopherol concentration was 0.15 ± 0.11 at 24h. This concentration increased to 0.22 ± 0.18mg/dl (range 0.14-0. 46mg/dl) by week 6 of the study. Normal adult range of RBC tocopherol was determined to be 0.20-0.39mg/dl. In the majority of the infants over 90% of the vitamin E present in plasma and RBC was α-tocopherol. It is concluded from these results that although preterm infants had abnormally low plasma tocopherol concentrations at birth and did not achieve normal levels within 6 weeks, they may not in fact be vitamin E deficient on the basis of their RBC tocopherol concentrations.
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