Variations in liver concentrations of iron and vitamin A as a function of age in young American children dying of the sudden infant death syndrome as well as of other causes
Dahro, M.; Gunning, D.; Olson, J.A.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 53(1): 13-18
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 6853055 Document Number: 219754
Concentrations of total Fe and of vitamin A were determined in the livers of 33 Midwestern [USA] children, varying in age from 2 wk to 9 yr, who had died from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as from other causes. The median liver Fe concentration was high (500 .mu.g/g wet wt) in infants up to 1 mo. of age, fell rapidly during the ensuing months and reached a plateau of 125 .mu.g/g at .apprx. 1 yr of age. No differences were noted between male and female children. The median liver vitamin A concentration was very low (4 .mu.g/g) in infants .ltoreq. 1 mo. of age, rapidly increased during the ensuing months and reached a value of 100 .mu.g/g by 1 yr. The ratio of vitamin A to Fe in the liver increased roughly 100-fold during the first few years of life. Infants dying of SIDS had stores of Fe and vitamin A that fell in the normal range for age. Only 1 subject of the 33 studied showed an Fe value < 50 .mu.g/g, and no infant > 5 mo. of age showed a vitamin A value < 20 .mu.g/g. The storage of Fe and vitamin A appear to be normal in the livers of infants suffering from SIDS.