biostudies-literatureBell EFNICHD NIH HHSNCATS NIH HHSNCRR NIH HHSe1626-33https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3838534biostudies-literatureUnknown132(6)<h4>Objective</h4>Our aim was to examine the impact of a single enteral dose of vitamin E on serum tocopherol levels. The study was undertaken to see whether a single dose of vitamin E soon after birth can rapidly increase the low α-tocopherol levels seen in very preterm infants. If so, this intervention could be tested as a means of reducing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.<h4>Methods</h4>Ninety-three infants <27 weeks' gestation and <1000 g were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of vitamin E or placebo by gastric tube within 4 hours of birth. The vitamin E group received 50 IU/kg of vitamin E as dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (Aquasol E). The placebo group received sterile water. Blood samples were taken for measurement of serum tocopherol levels by high-performance liquid chromatography before dosing and 24 hours and 7 days after dosing.<h4>Results</h4>Eighty-eight infants received the study drug and were included in the analyses. The α-tocopherol levels were similar between the groups at baseline but higher in the vitamin E group at 24 hours (median 0.63 mg/dL vs. 0.42 mg/dL, P = .003) and 7 days (2.21 mg/dL vs 1.86 mg/dL, P = .04). There were no differences between groups in γ-tocopherol levels. At 24 hours, 30% of vitamin E infants and 62% of placebo infants had α-tocopherol levels <0.5 mg/dL.<h4>Conclusions</h4>A 50-IU/kg dose of vitamin E raised serum α-tocopherol levels, but to consistently achieve α-tocopherol levels >0.5 mg/dL, a higher dose or several doses of vitamin E may be needed.PediatricsSerum tocopherol levels in very preterm infants after a single dose of vitamin E at birth.PMC3838534U10 HD027904UL1 TR001449UL1 RR024979UL1 RR025747UL1 RR025744UL1 RR024139UL1 RR025008U10 HD027880U10 HD021385UL1 RR031977U10 HD021364U10 HD040689U10 HD036790UL1 TR000041UG1 HD053109U10 HD040492U10 HD053109UG1 HD053089U10 HD034216U10 HD027871U10 HD053124U10 HD027851UL1 RR024128U10 HD053089U10 HD027856U10 HD021373Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research NetworkJohnson KJBrion LPMessina LACrawford MMEhrenkranz RAWatterberg KLBell EFHiggins RDVan Meurs KPHansen NIHale ECCarlo WAWalsh MCEllsbury DLGoldberg RNAcarregui MJKennedy KAFaix RGLaptook ARShankaran SPoindexter BBDas ACarlton DPfalseSerum tocopherol levels in very preterm infants after a single dose of vitamin E at birth.<h4>Objective</h4>Our aim was to examine the impact of a single enteral dose of vitamin E on serum tocopherol levels. The study was undertaken to see whether a single dose of vitamin E soon after birth can rapidly increase the low α-tocopherol levels seen in very preterm infants. If so, this intervention could be tested as a means of reducing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.<h4>Methods</h4>Ninety-three infants <27 weeks' gestation and <1000 g were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of vitamin E or placebo by gastric tube within 4 hours of birth. The vitamin E group received 50 IU/kg of vitamin E as dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (Aquasol E). The placebo group received sterile water. Blood samples were taken for measurement of serum tocopherol levels by high-performance liquid chromatography before dosing and 24 hours and 7 days after dosing.<h4>Results</h4>Eighty-eight infants received the study drug and were included in the analyses. The α-tocopherol levels were similar between the groups at baseline but higher in the vitamin E group at 24 hours (median 0.63 mg/dL vs. 0.42 mg/dL, P = .003) and 7 days (2.21 mg/dL vs 1.86 mg/dL, P = .04). There were no differences between groups in γ-tocopherol levels. At 24 hours, 30% of vitamin E infants and 62% of placebo infants had α-tocopherol levels <0.5 mg/dL.<h4>Conclusions</h4>A 50-IU/kg dose of vitamin E raised serum α-tocopherol levels, but to consistently achieve α-tocopherol levels >0.5 mg/dL, a higher dose or several doses of vitamin E may be needed.2013-01-01T00:00:00Z2013 Dec2024-11-21T00:30:02.303Z2019-03-27T03:09:11ZS-EPMC38385342421846010.1542/peds.2013-1684