Abstract
BPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants treated for the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). We have investigated the effect of Vitamin E (E) (Roche E Injectable) in modifying the development of BPD in infants with RDS. Alternate infants received 20 mg E/kg/day while requiring an FiO2 > 0.40. E treated and control infants matched with respect to wt, gest. age, Apgar score and severity of RDS. Patients living less than 10 days were excluded. E levels were below 0.30 mg% in controls and in treated infants were 0.96 mg% and 2.15 mg% at 24 and 48 hr, respectively. Treated infants received an average of 3 doses (range 1-7). Ten of 16 controls required O2 (> 20%) ± positive pressure respiratory support longer than 250 hr as compared with 5 of 14 in the E group (x2, p < .05). Of the 10 controls in O2 longer than 250 hr, 5 had x-ray changes consistent with BPD during the first month of life and 3 of those 5 died. However, x-rays in the 5 treated patients in O2 longer than 250 hr returned to normal or revealed mild abnormalities not typical of BPD; all of this group survived. X-rays were read without knowledge of E treatment. E treated or controls requiring O2 less than 250 hr did not have x-ray changes typical of BPD. Although the numbers are small, these preliminary data suggest that E administration during the acute phase of therapy for RDS may modify the development of BPD.
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Ehrenkranz, R., Bonta, B., Ablow, R. et al. EVIDENCE FOR AMELIORATION OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD) FOLLOWING VITAMIN E ADMINISTRATION. Pediatr Res 11, 569 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01197
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01197