Effectiveness of Vitamin A in the Prevention of Complications of Prematurity

Abstract

To assess the effectiveness of vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants to prevent complications of prematurity. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study to determine the effectiveness of vitamin A in preventing complications of prematurity in VLBW infants. Vitamin A was delivered intramuscularly at a dose of 5000 IU, three times weekly during the first 28 days of life. Results: Of the 187 eligible VLBW infants, we excluded from the analysis (due to death or transfer to another hospital), 16 infants weighing 1000 g, the risk associated with repeated intramuscular injections of vitamin A and the modest clinical results described, we do not believe the universal administration of vitamin A to VLBW infants to be justified as prophylaxis for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Keywords

• bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• intraventricular hemorrhage
• retinopathy of prematurity
• sepsis
• very low birth weight infant
• vitamin A