Objective:

The aim of this study is to compare the vitamin A and carotene levels in preterm infants with or without respiratory distress syndrome.

Material and Methods:

Vitamin A and carotene levels in 40 preterm AGA (appropriate for gestational age) infants, 20 of which had respiratory distress syndrome and the other 20 infants with no respiratory distress syndrome were compared.

Results:

Vitamin A level in infants at 28-32 gestation week who had RDS was 7.33±3.36 mcg /dl, and in the healthy infants (control group) the level was 9.83±4.62 mcg /dl. There was no significant statistical difference in spite of a mathematical difference. The carotene level in infants with RDS was 28.5 ±11.46 mcg /dl, and in the control group was 49±29.12 mcg/dl. Vitamin A level in infants at 33-36 gestation week with RDS was 4.32±3.58 mcg /dl, whereas in the control group, the level was found to be 7.98±4.46 mcg/dl. In these cases a significant difference existed. Carotene level when compared between the groups revealed no significant difference. The level in infants with RDS was 48.8±41.96 mcg/dl, whereas it was found to be 45.7±30 mcg/dl in the control group. There was no correlation between the carotene level, vitamin A level and the birth weight, height, head circumference and sex.

Conclusion:

In our study as all the cases had low vitamin A levels, early vitamin A supplementation was recommended to be administered to the premature infants.

Keywords: Premature infants, Vitamin A, carotene