Anemia in Infancy: Iron Deficiency and Vitamin E Deficiency
Frank A. Oski MD1
1 Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, State University Hospital, Syracuse, New York
It is now established that vitamin E is an essential nutrient for all animals including man. It is now established that a deficiency of this vitamin, particularly in the infant, will result in a shortening of red cell life-span. The magnitude of the anemia appears related to the presence of associated factors such as the lipid composition of the red cell membrane and the nature of associated oxidant stresses.
Healthy term infants who are fed either human milk or proprietary formulas in quantities sufficient to meet their caloric requirements will receive adequate amounts of vitamin E. The same appears to be true for small preterm infants even when the formulas are fortified with iron. Infants who are receiving inadequate volumes of formula should receive vitamin E supplementation of approximately 15 mg/day.
