Vitamin E-dependent anemia in the premature infant. II. Relationships between gestational age and absorption of vitamin E

Abstract

The association of vitamin E deficiency and hemolytic anemia in small premature infants prompted study of intestinal absorption of vitamin E in infants of various gestational and chronologic ages. A direct relationship was found between the gestational age of the premature infant and his ability to maintain vitamin E sufficiency during the first 3 months of life; infants of lowest gestational age were least able to achieve vitamin E sufficiency, even when receiving a vitamin E supplement. In infants whose gestational age was less than 32 weeks, progressive improvement in the intestinal absorption of the vitamin was seen as the chronologic equivalent of a full-term gestational age was approached. Oral administration of iron is implicated as interfering with the intestinal absorption of vitamin E. Since maintenance of vitamin E sufficiency appears to be nutritionally important in the premature infant, the efficacy of other routes of administration of the vitamin should be explored.