Cord blood vitamin a levels in Preterms and it’s association with Early neonatal period morbiditiesa Prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Vitamin A, a fat soluble vitamin, plays an essential role in early lung and airway tissue differentiation and the retina. Vitamin A also maintains epithelial integrity, bone development, immunity and promotes the maturation of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells. Vitamin A aberration is associated with diseases such as night blindness, corneal ulcers, dry eye, immune dysfunction and respiratory infections. Several studies have reported vitamin A insufficiency to be associated with morbidity of premature infants. Preterm neonates born with low vitamin A levels may have increased risk of developing respiratory distress syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, sepsis. According to WHO's guidelines on newborn care, it is suggested that infants should receive single oral dose of Vitamin A within first 48 hours after birth to prevent Vitamin A deficiency. This study examines umbilical cord blood to determine Vitamin A levels, also to explore the association of cord blood retinol levels in preterms with early neonatal period health problems.