Plasma retinol and retinol-binding protein in pre-term infants born small for gestational age or of appropriate weight for age
Howells, D.W.; Levin, G.E.; Brown, I.R.; Brooke, O.G.
Human Nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 38(2): 107-111
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0263-8290 PMID: 6538564 Document Number: 235233
A study examined the association between plasma retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels in 39 pre-term neonates of whom 15 were small-for-gestational age (SGA); and 24 were appropriate-for-gestational (AGA). The study attempted to assess the possible use of such an association as an indicator of nutritional status in those SGA neonates who are small because of poor in utero nutrient transfer. Measurements were taken within 48 hours of birth. Retinol levels varied inversely with gestational age and birth weight, but RBP levels did not correlate with either. Further, while RBP significantly correlated with retinol in AGA neonates, no such correlation was found in the SGA neonates. The significance of these results is discussed. (wz)