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May be the formula supplementation with lutein actually effective on visual development in preterm infants?

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, page 563 (2012)Cite this article

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Rubin et al.1 report that carotenoid supplementation appears to be safe and effective in producing plasma concentrations similar to those observed in human milk-fed term infants and that adding carotenoids to preterm infant formula may have additional benefits related to retinal neurovascular development and suppression of inflammation.

Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are the main carotenoids in the macula, where they have a protective role against oxidative and light damage.2

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References

  1. Rubin LP, Chan GM, Barrett-Reis BM, Fulton AB, Hansen RM, Ashmeade TL et al. Effect of carotenoid supplementation on plasma carotenoids, inflammation and visual development in preterm infants. J Perinatol 2011; doi: 10.1038/jp.2011.87. (e-pub ahead of print 14 July 2011).

  2. Ahmed SS, Lott MN, Marcus DM . The macular xanthophylls. Surv Ophthalmol 2005; 50: 183–193.

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  3. Romagnoli C, Giannantonio C, Cota F, Papacci P, Vento G, Valente E et al. A prospective, randomized, double blind study comparing lutein to placebo for reducing occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2011; 24 (S(1)): 147–150.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital ‘Agostino Gemelli’- Catholic University Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

    S Costa, C Giannantonio, F Cota & C Romagnoli

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  1. S Costa
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  2. C Giannantonio
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  3. F Cota
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  4. C Romagnoli
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Correspondence to S Costa.

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Costa, S., Giannantonio, C., Cota, F. et al. May be the formula supplementation with lutein actually effective on visual development in preterm infants?. J Perinatol 32, 563 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.202

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