Abstract
To determine whether early IM VE supplementation influences the incidence of IVH in infants ≤ 1500 gms, data were analyzed prospectively from 181 inborn infants enrolled on protocols of 2 consecutive yrs. In the first study, (1981C), 47 patients received 100 mg/kg/day of oral VE (3000 mOsM) daily with the first dose administered within 8 hrs of birth. In the second study, 134 infants received 100 mg/kg/day of VE emulsion (150 mOsM) in the same manner; however, 64 patients received, in addition, IM VE on days 1, 2, 4 and 6 of life (1982T) while 70 patients received placebo injections (1982C) in a randomized double blind fashion. First wk VE levels were the same in the 1981C & 1982C patients but were significantly higher in the 1982T patients. In spite of this difference, no change in the incidence of sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis was observed. Both the incidence and severity of IVH were reduced in the 1982T patients as compared to the 1982C patients (p ≤ 0.02 & p ≤ 0.05 respectively) and as compared to the 1981C patients (p ≤ 0.05 & p ≤ 0.001 respectively). The data suggests that VE, a natural antioxidant, may play an important role in protecting the CNS microcirculation from the effects of hypoxic/ischemic injury.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Speer, M., Blifeld, C., Rudoph, A. et al. INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH) & VITAMIN E (VE) IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS: EFFICACY OF EARLY IM ADMINISTRATION. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 383 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01739
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01739
