Effect of maternal supplementation with vitamin E on the concentration of α-tocopherol in colostrum

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of maternal supplementation with vitamin E on the concentration of α-tocopherol in colostrum and its supply to the newborn. Method: This randomized clinical trial enrolled 99 healthy adult pregnant women; of these, 39 were assigned to the control group and 60 to the supplemented group. After an overnight fast, 5 mL of blood and 2 mL of colostrum were collected. After the first sampling (0 h milk), the supplemented group received 400 IU of supplementary vitamin E. Another 2 mL milk aliquot was collected in both groups 24 h after supplementation (24 h milk). The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The α-tocopherol content provided by colostrum was calculated by considering a daily intake of 396 mL of milk and comparing the resulting value to the recommended daily intake for infants aged 0–6 months (4 mg/day). Results: The initial mean concentration of α-tocopherol in colostrum was 1509.3 ± 793.7 μg/dL in the control group and 1452.9 ± 808.6 μg/dL in the supplemented group. After 24 h, the mean α-tocopherol concentration was 1650.6 ± 968.7 μg/dL in the control group (p > 0.05) and 2346.9 ± 1203.2 μg/dL in the supplemented group (p 0,05), já no grupo suplementado a concentração média foi 2346,9 ± 1203,2 μg/dL (p < 0,001), aumentando assim a oferta de vitamina E para o recém-nascido para 9,3 mg/dia. Inicialmente 18 mulheres do grupo suplementado forneciam valores inferiores a 4 mg/dia de α-tocoferol em seu colostro, após suplementação apenas 6 continuaram a fornecer quantidade inferior ao recomendado. Conclusão: A suplementação materna com vitamina E promove o aumento do fornecimento da vitamina para o recém-nascido, fornecendo mais do que o dobroda Ingestão Diária Recomendada. Keywords: Maternal supplementation, Vitamin E, Alpha-tocopherol, Nutritional needs, Newborn, Human colostrum, Palavras-chave: Suplementação materna, Vitamina E, Alfa-tocoferol, Requerimento nutricional, Recém-nascido, Colostro humano