SERUM VITAMIN-A (RETINOL) CONCENTRATIONS AND ASSOCIATION WITH RESPIRATORY-DISEASE IN PREMATURE-INFANTS

Vitamin A has been shown to be important in immunity and in differentiation of epithelial tissues. Serum concentrations of vitamin A (retinol) were measured at birth, in 54 preterm and 24 full term infants. Vitamin A concentrations were significantly lower in the preterm compared to the full term infants (9.81+/-0.58 mu g/dl v. 15.58+/-100 mu g/dl, P=0.0001). Serum retinol and birth weight were positively correlated (r=0.39, P=0.0004); however, there was no correlation between maternal acid infant vitamin A concentrations. The initially reduced vitamin A levels in the preterm infants were not associated with respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia.