Evaluation of the Effects of Vitamin E on Prematurity Complications in Premature Neonates

Abstract

Background: Prematurity is accompanied with various complications including sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and apnea. In current study, we assessed the effects of oral vitamin E on incidence of prematurity complications in premature neonates. Methods: This was a clinical trial study on 76 neonates in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran, during 2015-2017. Neonates were randomly divided in two age- and sex-matched group. 38 neonates of case group were treated with 10 units of vitamin E through orogastric tube for three days. Control group were treated with distilled water through orogastric tube. Patients in two groups were evaluated in terms of sepsis, NEC and IVH. Findings: In this study, 48.7% of patients were boys. Mean neonates' age and weight was 28.49 ± 1.46 weeks and 1183.02 ± 167.97 g, respectively. Incidence of sepsis (P = 0.77), NEC (P = 0.53), hypotension (P = 0.31), death (P = 0.45), and IVH in 4th (P = 0.30) and 7th (P = 0.20) day of birth was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Using oral vitamin E did not have statistically significant effect on prevention of sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Due to more controllable bioavailability of oral vitamin E in comparison to intramuscular and intravenous use of it, and increased risk of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis by using high doses of vitamin E in other reports, further studies with different doses of oral vitamin E are recommended.

Keywords

• Preterm labor
• Sepsis
• Necrotizing enterocolitis
• Hemorrhage
• Prevention