Preterm babies (born before 37 weeks) can develop a range of problems because their organs are not mature. Vitamin E may be able to help prevent or limit some of these problems, but it can also have harmful effects. Breast milk of a woman who has given birth prematurely has higher than usual levels of vitamin E. Preterm babies can be given extra vitamin E as vitamin drops, in vitamin E-enriched formula, in intravenous fluids, or by injection into their muscles. However, this review of studies of vitamin E supplements found that while extra vitamin E reduces the chances of some complications (including disease of the retina), the risk of life-threatening infection is increased. The risk of bleeding in the brain is increased when extra vitamin E is given by vein but decreased when the extra vitamin E is given by other routes.
2. Do preterm infants need vitamin E, and what is their requirement
of this vitamin?
The content of alpha-tocopherol in the body of the fetus remains at
3-7 mg/kg throughout gestation (Bell 1981).
In preterm infants, lack of vitamin E intake or fat malabsorption results
in edema, thrombocytosis and hemolytic anemia and could eventually result
in spinocerebellar degeneration. Signs of this deficiency are enhanced
by iron supplementation (due to its oxidant activity) and by high concentration
in milk formula of linoleic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFA), which are subject to oxidation (Hassan
1966; Oski 1967; Ritchie
1968;
Williams 1975). The clinical assessment
of vitamin E deficiency remains a challenge in preterm infants, because
serum tocopherol levels may not reflect tissue levels and depend on serum
lipid levels (Greer 2000). A tocopherol/total
lipid ratio of greater than 0.8 mg/g has been recommended as an indication
of vitamin E sufficiency (Johnson 1998).
The amount of vitamin E in colostrum and preterm milk is approximately two to three times that in mature milk (Gross 1993). Formulas for preterm infants should contain at least one IU of vitamin E per gram of linoleic acid, 0.6 mg of d-alpha-tocopherol equivalent per g of PUFA (Bell 1981) and 0.7 IU per 100 kcal in order to prevent vitamin E deficiency (Gross 1993; Committee N 1985). With these doses, hemolytic anemia of vitamin E deficiency has been virtually eliminated except in rare cases of prolonged total parenteral nutrition with lipid emulsion and inadequate supplemental vitamin E or in cases of fat malabsorption due to cholestatic liver disease or to cystic fibrosis (Bell 1987). The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition has recommended daily supplementation of 5-25 IU of vitamin E in preterm infants to ensure enough accretion (Committee N 1985); however, such supplementation might not be necessary (Gross 1985).
The optimal amount of parenteral vitamin E in preterm infants is uncertain, although the maximum recommended dose for any neonate is 7 IU per day (5 ml of M.V.I. Pediatric®, Astra Pharmaceuticals, L.P., Wayne, PA). The manufacturer's recommendation is 1.5 ml/day for infants weighing less than 1 kg, 3.25 ml/day for those weighing 1 to 3 kg, and 5 ml/day for infants and children weighing 3 kg or more and up to 11 years of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a standard dose for all preterm infants: 40% of a vial of M.V.I. Pediatric® (Committee N 1998). Using a fixed dose per day (regardless of exact weight), serum alpha-tocopherol levels at one week of life are inversely related with birth weight (Amorde-Spalding 1992, Phillips 1987), and some infants develop serum levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl (Amorde-Spalding 1992, DeVito 1986; MacDonald 1987, Phillips 1987). The American Society for Clinical Nutrition recommends a parenteral dose of vitamin E of 2.8 IU/kg/day for preterm infants and 7 IU/day in full-term infants (Greene 1988). This dose is met by standard intravenous vitamin solutions (Gross 1993; Greer 2000): a dose of 2.8 IU/kg/day is provided by 1 ml of a vial of M.V.I. Pediatric® Solution for infants with a weight of 500 g and by 2 ml for a weight of 1000 g. Schwalbe has recommended a dose of d,l-alpha-tocopheryl acetate of 4.5 mg/kg/day (4.5 IU/kg/day) for very low birth weight infants based on serum levels during the first 2 weeks of life after a five-day infusion (Schwalbe 1992). In preterm infants with birth weight 820-2000 g, vitamin E at an average dose of 3 IU/kg/day administered intravenously by continuous infusion in multivitamins for 3-4 weeks generally yields plasma levels within the normal range (1-3 mg/dl) (Gutcher 1985, Baeckert 1988).
3. What is the rationale for vitamin E supplementation in preterm infants;
what is the bioavailability; what is the potential indirect and direct
toxicity of vitamin E supplements; and is there a safe dose?
Supplementing very low birth weight infants with vitamin E as an antioxidant
agent has been proposed for preventing or limiting retinopathy of prematurity,
intracranial hemorrhage, and chronic lung disease. Nevertheless, tissue
levels reached by pharmacologic doses of vitamin E are several fold higher
than those required to produce maximum antioxidant effect (Roberts
1987).
At steady state, umbilical cord blood serum, plasma or erythrocyte levels of tocopherol are related to, but less than half maternal levels and increase progressively during pregnancy (Navarro 1984; Cachia 1995; Jain 1996; Johnson 1998; Chan 1999; Baydas 2002; Bolisetty 2002). One study has shown that the administration of 300-600 mg of vitamin E to the mother during preterm labor may reduce the risk of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage diagnosed at non traumatic spinal tap or autopsy (1/45 in the treated group versus 6/45 in controls, RR 0.17, CI 0.02,1.33, p =0.09; RD -0.11, CI -0.22,0, p=0.04) (Minkowski 1949). Nevertheless, two other studies have shown that fetal cord plasma levels of tocopherol fail to increase after three days of maternal supplementation (Léger 1998) and within nine days of maternal supplementation only increase up to values lower than half those required to reduce hemolysis (Cruz 1983). Approximately 30% of the mothers have levels consistent with vitamin E deficiency (Cachia 1995), and a daily maternal intake of 400 IU of vitamin E has been estimated to prevent or correct such deficiency (Woods 2001).
Most but not all studies support the observation that enteral absorption of vitamin E in preterm infants is sufficient to rapidly achieve adequate blood levels of tocopherol (Bell 1987). Neonatal serum tocopherol levels increase progressively when fed human colostrum, which is rich in vitamin E (Gross 1993; Moran 1983; Ostrea 1986), or formula, which now routinely contains vitamin E. In preterm infants, enteral absorption of vitamin E from water-soluble preparations is better than from lipid-soluble preparations (Gross 1974; Jansson 1984). Intramuscular absorption of alpha-tocopheryl acetate prepared in solution in olive oil, available in several European countries, is six times lower than that of vitamin E in colloidal solution, available in England and North America (Bonati 1991). When vitamin E is provided as alpha-tocopheryl acetate, bioavailability of free vitamin E (tocopherol) requires hydrolysis, which is mediated by an enzyme (esterase). This hydrolysis is a limiting step in case of parenteral administration (Newmark 1975; Pedraz 1989) but not in case of enteral administration (Bell 1979 [see Zipursky 1987]), because of abundance of pancreatic and jejunal mucosal esterase activity (Mathias 1981). These observations explain why even a small dose of 5 mg of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate provided enterally has proven to be more efficient than larger intramuscular doses (30 mg) in treating scleredema (Gerlóczy 1949).
Vitamin E toxicity may be related to the dose, chemical form, route of administration, or (in the case of parenteral forms) speed of administration, or to some combination of these factors (Bell 1987; Hale 1995). Risks associated with vitamin E excess in adult humans (Bell 1989) include (1) impaired resistance to infection resulting from decreased leukocyte function, and (2) increased bleeding resulting from a decrease in vitamin-K-dependent factors in vitamin-K deficient individuals (Corrigan 1979) and inhibition of platelet prostaglandin synthesis and of platelet aggregation (Stuart 1979). Reports of toxicity of enteral vitamin E are rare in infants. Enteral intake of vitamin E up to 25 mg/kg/day rarely yields serum levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl (81 micromol/L), i.e., the levels associated with an increased incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (Bell 1989). The safe upper limit of vitamin E in infant formulas was estimated to be 10 mg d-alpha-tocopherol equivalent per 100 kcal or 15 IU/100 kcal, which would provide half the amount of enteral vitamin E (25 mg/kg/day) that appears to be safe and well tolerated (Bell 1989). This dose also corresponds to the highest concentration of vitamin E in colostrum (~60 mg/dl). Johnson has recently proposed to classify serum tocopherol levels as physiologic (1-3.5 mg/dl), proposed for prophylaxis and treatment of early retinopathy of prematurity, and pharmacologic (4-5 mg/dl), proposed for treating severe retinopathy of prematurity (Johnson 1995). Increased necrotizing enterocolitis has been observed in patients with serum concentration of vitamin E greater than 3.5 mg/dl while receiving a total (intravenous vitamins, intravenous lipid solution, formula and oral vitamin supplementation 0-25 mg/kg/day) vitamin E dose less than 25 mg/kg/day (Friedman 1988).
Fifty-eight infants at a single institution received pharmacologic doses (25-50 IU/kg/day intravenously) of a new preparation of vitamin E (E-Ferol®, O'Neal, Jones and Feldman, Maryland Heights, MO), which contained dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate solubilized at 25 IU/ml with 9% polysorbate 80 and 1% polysorbate 20. Among these 58 infants, eight developed pulmonary deterioration, liver failure (hepatomegaly, ascites, and in some cases cholestatic jaundice and hypoproteinemia), thrombocytopenia, and renal failure, and five died (Lorch 1985). Review of autopsy-derived tissue from 20 infants showed vascular hepatotoxicity characterized by progressive intralobular cholestasis, inflammation of hepatic venules, and extensive sinusoidal veno-occlusion by fibrosis (Bove 1985). Two subsequent retrospective reports described E-Ferol®-related events (Martone 1986; Arrowsmith 1989). A total of 38 deaths were attributed to E-Ferol®, which was removed from the market. It remains unclear whether the toxicity of E-Ferol® resulted from the vitamin E itself, its preparation as tocopheryl acetate (which could not be hydrolyzed when given intravenously), the polysorbates present in the product, or an undetermined contaminant (Balistreri 1986; Bell 1987). Parenteral vitamin E administration (either dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, or free dl-alpha tocopherol in ethanol) caused dose-related toxicity in kittens, including hepatosplenomegaly and mortality (Phelps 1987b). Toxicologic studies (see Arrowsmith 1989, Balistreri 1986, Alade 1986) suggested that the effects of E-Ferol® could be at least in part reproduced by high doses of polysorbates 20 and 80. However tissue accumulation of vitamin E and tissue changes after E-Ferol® administration depended on the dose, route and duration of administration, with toxicity associated with rapid intravenous administration (Hale 1995).
A retrospective analysis has shown a significant association between pharmacologic oral doses of vitamin E (diluted 1:2, provided at a dose of 200 mg/day in eight aliquots) in very low birth weight infants and necrotizing enterocolitis (Finer 1984). Necrotizing enterocolitis was attributed to the high osmolality of the undiluted solution, 4050 mOsm/kg, in turn related to its high content of propylene glycol (daily dose of 200 mg tocopherol, 800 mg propylene glycol, 800 mg sorbitol, 1 g polysorbate 80 in 4 ml water). Alternatively, toxicity may have been related to direct toxicity of vitamin E or of propylene glycol. The dose of propylene glycol was almost three times as much as a well-tolerated daily dose (300 mg propylene glycol and 1 mg vitamin E in 1 ml M.V.I.-Concentrate®, Armour Pharmaceutical Co, Kankakee, IL) resulting in serum propylene glycol levels greater than 40 mg/dl in 14/30 very low birth weight infants (MacDonald 1987). The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis decreased when this formulation was later replaced with an isotonic solution without propylene glycol.
Soft tissue calcification has been reported in two patients after intramuscular administration of vitamin E (Barak 1986).
4. Why do we need a systematic review of vitamin supplementation in
preterm infants and subgroup analyses?
Existing reviews (Ehrenkranz 1980;
Bell 1981; Bell 1987;
Phelps 1985, Phelps
1987; Phelps 1988, Bell
1989, Law 1990, Muller
1992; Gross 1993; Baley
1992; Bell 1992; Doyle
1992; Ehrenkranz 1992; Watts
1992; Raju 1997, Greer
2000) have assessed only some of the effects of vitamin E on mortality
and morbidity in preterm infants or very low birth weight infants. The
present systematic review analyzes a broader spectrum of risks and benefits
of vitamin E supplementation, in preterm infants and in very low birth
weight infants. Subgroup analyses are required to determine which factors
affected the responses to vitamin E supplementation.
Subgroup analyses were designed to determine if the effects of vitamin
E supplementation on morbidity and mortality in preterm infants depend
on:
(1) Gestational age, because in the most immature infants body content
of vitamin E at birth is lower and the risks for many of the outcome variables
are higher. Birth weight could be used if gestational age is not available
(2) Vitamin E preparation and route of administration: This may affect
vitamin E absorption, distribution and toxicity. The latter may result
(1) from direct tissue toxicity of vitamin E and/or (2) from specific reagents,
e.g., polysorbates 80 and 20 (Arrowsmith 1989;
Lorch 1985), or propylene glycol, which can
unduly increase osmolality, thereby increasing the risk of necrotizing
enterocolitis (Finer 1984).
(3) The total daily dose of vitamin E, i.e., the sum of supplemented
vitamin E and the dose contained in the formula and in parenteral nutrition
in both groups, and serum tocopherol levels.
(4) Time of initiation of vitamin E supplementation; this is especially
important for outcome variables which appear early (e.g., intraventricular
hemorrhage) and those in which early onset of free radical-related damage
and inflammation is expected (e.g., chronic lung disease)
(5) Intake of other nutritional components which may modify the risk
of production of free radicals and serum tocopherol levels (Gross
1985). These may include oxidants (e.g., iron), antioxidants (e.g.,
selenium, vitamin A) and oxidizable nutrients (e.g., PUFA).
(6) Selection bias: randomized trials (which prevent selection bias)
only versus all controlled studies. To limit the size of this review, this
subgroup analysis was eliminated (see below).
Secondary outcome measures include the following:
E-Ferol-related "clinical syndrome" as defined earlier (Arrowsmith
1989), combined outcome (either mortality before discharge, bronchopulmonary
dysplasia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, severe cerebral abnormality,
blindness, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy), bronchopulmonary dysplasia
(current definition: continuous positive airway pressure or oxygen requirement
at 36 weeks corrected age), patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, severe intraventricular
hemorrhage (Papile grade III or IV), mild-to-moderate intracranial hemorrhage
(Papile stage I or II), severe cerebral abnormality [either intraventricular
hemorrhage grade III or IV, cystic periventricular leukomalacia or severe
ventricular dilatation], severe retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or
worse), retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis with gastrointestinal
perforation, necrotizing enterocolitis not requiring surgery, renal failure
(serum creatinine concentration above 1.5 mg/dl), signs of hemolysis (anemia,
reticulocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, need for transfusion, number
of transfusions, bilirubin concentration), platelet count, coagulation
tests, and local reaction at the injection site. Studies which reported
only serum or plasma tocopherol levels but none of the above mentioned
clinical outcomes were not included.
I. Original plan:
We planned to analyze studies separately according to the amount of
vitamin E provided to the mother during pregnancy, and according to the
amount, type or route of vitamin E supplementation of the infants in the
control group:
1. Analysis excluding studies with documented prolonged (>1 week) high-dose
(>= 400 mg/day) vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy
1.1 Infant provided with placebo, with total daily dose of vitamin
E < 10 mg/100 kcal
1.2. Infant provided with another dose of vitamin E (total intake >10
mg/100 kcal)
1.3. Infant provided with another type or route of vitamin E formulation
2. Analysis of studies with documented prolonged (> 1 week) high-dose
(>=400 mg/day) vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy
2.1. Infant provided with placebo, with total daily dose of vitamin
E < 10 mg/100 kcal
2.2. Infant provided with another dose of vitamin E (total intake >10
mg/100 kcal)
2.3. Infant provided with another type or route of vitamin E formulation
Subgroup analyses planned:
1. Gestational age:
1.1. >= 29 weeks
1.2. < 29 weeks
If gestational age is not available or is not the cut-off for the trials:
1.3. Birth weight > 1000 g
1.4. Birth weight <= 1000 g
2. Medication given in the treatment group:
2.1. Route of administration and formulation:
2.1.1. Enteral
2.1.1.1. Enteral lipid form - isotonic to mildly hypertonic (< 400
mOsm/kg)
2.1.1.2. Enteral lipid form - hypertonic (>= 400 mOsm/kg)
2.1.1.3. Enteral aqueous form
2.1.2. Parenteral
2.1.2.1. Parenteral, excluding polysorbate
2.1.2.2. Parenteral colloidal, excluding polysorbate
2.1.2.3. Parenteral colloidal with polysorbate
2.1.2.4. Parenteral olive oil
3. Total dose of vitamin E provided (iv + diet + supplement)
3.2.1. <25 mg/kg/day
3.2.2. >= 25 mg/kg/day
4. Time of onset of vitamin E supplementation in the treatment group
4.1. Within the first 48 hours of life
4.2. After the first 48 hours of life
4.3. After 4 weeks of life
5. Other nutritional components which may modify the effects of or the
need for vitamin E
5.1 Iron supplementation
5.1.1. Iron supplementation > 2 mg/kg/day in both groups
5.1.2. Iron supplementation > 2 mg/kg/day in treatment group only
5.1.3. Iron supplementation <= 2 mg/kg/day
5.2. PUFAs
5.2.1. Formula with PUFAs >400 mg/100 ml formula in both groups
5.2.2. Formula with PUFAs <400 mg/100 ml formula in both groups
5.2.3. Formula with PUFAs >400 mg/100 ml formula in treatment group
5.3. Dietary or parenteral supplementation with one or more other antioxidants
(in both groups)
5.3.1. Selenium fortification >= 3 mcg/kg/day
5.3.2. Vitamin A supplementation (>= 1500 U/day)
5.3.3. Selenium fortification >= 2 mg/100 ml formula and vitamin A
supplementation (>=1500 U/day)
5.3.4. Neither
6. According to study design:
6.1. Randomized studies only
6.2. All studies
II. Modifications to the original plan:
Studies of vitamin E administration to preterm infants have been conducted for more than fifty years, during which standard of care including baseline vitamin E intake in pregnancy and in very low birth weight infants has changed considerably. Furthermore, the definitions of chronic lung disease of prematurity or bronchopulmonary dysplasia and of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia have changed several times during the last decades. Several methods have been used to administer vitamin E, and some of the differences in design among studies became clear only during completion of the protocol.
Outcome variables in the available trials were often reported only is specific subgroups, e.g., very low birth weight infants. Because very low birth weight infants are the only ones at risk for some of the complications potentially treated or prevented by vitamin E (e.g., severe retinopathy of prematurity), we decided to create separate outcome variables in that weight group to allow subgroup analyses. This was the only way to determine which (or whether any) specific method of vitamin E administration (dose, duration, level, etc) is both efficient and nontoxic in very low birth weight infants. Subgroups among very low birth weight infants are referred to as "all studies" when they included all studies irrespective of the weight cut-off (either 1500 grams or 1000 grams), "equal to or less than 1500 grams" or "equal to or less than 1000 grams", as appropriate for each specific weight cut-off. For many outcome variables the first subgroup includes "all infants in all studies."
We also found another outcome variable that had not been anticipated: retinal hemorrhage.
In order to limit the number of comparisons we replaced the main planned
comparisons (listed in above sections 1 and 2) by the following:
1. Vitamin E versus placebo
2. Vitamin E versus another form or route of vitamin E (intramuscular
versus enteral, intravenous versus intramuscular, intramuscular in olive
oil versus intramuscular in colloidal form)
Many trials used combination of enteral and parenteral vitamin E supplementation,
so that we modified these entries as follows:
2. Route of administration and formulation:
2.1. Enteral
2.1.1. Enteral hypertonic formulation at pharmacologic dose
2.2. Parenteral with or without enteral
2.2.1. Parenteral with hypertonic enteral formulation at pharmacologic
dose
2.2.2. Parenteral colloidal with polysorbate
2.2.3. Intravenous (with or without other routes of administration)
2.2.4. Excluding intravenous administration
We have clarified the cut-off value for vitamin E intake as follows:
3. Total daily dose of vitamin E provided (iv + diet + supplement)
to the treatment group, target serum level
3.1. <=20 mg d-alpha-tocopherol equivalents/kg/d OR 30 IU/kg/d,
i.e., 30 mg/kg/d dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate*
3.2. > 20 mg d-a-tocopherol equivalents/kg/d OR 30 IU/kg/d, i.e., 30
mg/kg/d dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate*
* If the dose is expressed in IU/day or mg/day, we used mean birth
weight (estimated, if necessary, to be 1000 g for studies on infants with
birth weight < 1500 grams) in the group for the calculations.
Based on Johnson 1995 we have added an
entry based on serum tocopherol levels at the end of the period of vitamin
supplementation:
3.3. Serum tocopherol level <=3.5 mg/dl (81 micromoles/L)
3.4. Serum tocopherol level >3.5 mg/dl
We added subgroup analyses based on duration of the treatment:
4. Time of onset and duration of vitamin E supplementation in the treatment
group
4.1. Within the first 48 hours of life
4.2. After the first 48 hours of life
4.3. Duration of treatment <= 1 week (7 daily doses)
4.4. Duration of treatment > 1 week (7 daily doses)
Since we have only kept randomized trials for this review, the subgroup analysis of randomized trials was eliminated.
We placed vitamin E administration during pregnancy and dose of vitamin
E in the control group as subgroup analyses instead of main comparisons:
6. Vitamin E provided during pregnancy
6.1. Documented prolonged high-dose (at least 400 IU/day for a week)
vitamin E during pregnancy
7. Total dose of vitamin E provided to the control group
7.1. <= 10 mg vitamin E/100 kcal
7.2. > 10 mg vitamin E/100 kcal
Subgroup analyses based on other nutritional components which may modify the effects of or the need for vitamin E were assessed as planned, except we eliminated comparisons in which vitamin E was a co-intervention with one of those supplements.
Because these studies have spanned more than 50 years of research, definitions of outcome variables such as retrolental fibroplasia (retinopathy of prematurity) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia have changed. We present in the table of comparisons only entries for which we found relevant studies.
1. Vitamin E versus placebo
This group included 25 randomized trials which assessed the effects
of vitamin E supplementation by enteral route only (n=8), intramuscular
with or without enteral (n=15), or intravenous with or without other routes
(n=2). Vitamin E supplementation was initiated within the first 48 hours
of life in all treated patients in 20 studies, and after 48 hours in all
treated patients in four studies. The duration of vitamin E supplementation
was up to one week in eleven studies and greater than one week in all patients
in thirteen studies. The total dose of vitamin E intake in the treated
group was equal to or less than 30 IU/kg/day in fifteen studies and greater
than 30 IU/kg/day in nine studies. Serum tocopherol levels were up to 3.5
mg/dl in fifteen studies and greater than 3.5 mg/dl in eight studies. The
total dose of vitamin E intake in the control group was up to 10 mg/100
kcal in 22 studies and greater than 10 mg/100 kcal in three studies.
Chiswick 1982 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of four daily intramuscular injections of 20 mg/kg/dose of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate as an aqueous colloidal solution (Ephynal®, Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland) starting at 24 hours of age on mortality and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. Entry criteria were: preterm infants without major congenital malformations. The concentration of the solution was 1000 mg/2 ml, and individual doses greater than 0.5 ml were divided and given in two different injection sites. Controls received no injection of vitamin E. Only five infants, i.e., those without respiratory distress, received formula (SMA Gold Cap Milk®, Wyeth Laboratories, Slough, England) during the first four days of life. The total number of patients entered into the study was 35, including 14 in the treatment group and 21 in the control group. Gestational ages ranged from 25 to 36 weeks (average 29.1±3.3 weeks in the treated group and 29.3±3.3 weeks in the control group) and birth weights from 550 to 1750 g (average 1.21±0.29 kg in the treated group and 1.25±0.33 kg in the control group). Intraventricular hemorrhage was diagnosed by computerized tomography, clinical findings (uniformly blood-stained cerebrospinal fluid, seizures, tense anterior fontanel) or autopsy. Because not all infants had a computerized tomography (number not provided) or an autopsy (n =1), it is possible that some cases of intraventricular hemorrhage may not have been diagnosed; for the calculations we only used demonstrated cases of intraventricular hemorrhage (in contrast with the authors who assumed that one patient had a hemorrhage). Outcome variables included mortality and intraventricular hemorrhage.
Chiswick 1983 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of three intramuscular injections of 20 mg/kg/dose of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate as an aqueous colloidal solution (Ephynal®, Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland) given at 12, 36 and 60 hours of age on intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. Entry criteria were gestational age less than 37 weeks and birth weight less than 1751 g. Controls received no injection of vitamin E. No information is provided about enteral intake of vitamin E. Intraventricular hemorrhage was diagnosed by ultrasonogram performed within the first 48 hours of life and at least once after 72 hours; repeat examinations were done where possible daily during the first week and less often afterwards. The total number of patients was 44, including 21 in the treatment group and 23 in the control group. Mean gestational ages and birth weights in the whole study population are not provided. Outcome variables included mortality, germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage.
Cruz 1983 is a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of four intramuscular injections of 25 mg/kg of vitamin E (on days one, two, four and eight, respectively) on hematologic parameters in preterm infants. Entry criteria were: (1) mothers admitted with threatened premature delivery at 26-34 weeks of gestation, (2) infants born to mothers admitted for threatened preterm delivery at 26-34 weeks of gestation and delivered with a weight less than 2300 g. All mothers of infants in the randomized trial received 900 mg of vitamin E (Ephynal®, Roche) daily for three days, followed by 100 mg daily until delivery. A non-randomized third group of infants, born to non-supplemented mothers, received no intramuscular vitamin E supplementation. All infants were fed banked breast milk, followed by an infant formula (Allomin). All infants received oral multivitamin drops starting on day five of life; this provided two mg of vitamin E daily. Among 55 infants enrolled in this trial, 27 were randomized to the experimental group and 28 to the control group. Mean gestational ages were 32.8±1.9 weeks and 32.4±1.9 weeks, respectively, in the experimental and in the control group, and mean birth weights were, respectively, 1808±361 and 1817±357 g. Outcome variables included retrolental fibroplasia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Ehrenkranz 1982 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of repeated intramuscular injections of 20 mg/kg of Vitamin E Injectable® (Hoffmann-LaRoche) on neonatal outcomes. Entry criteria included respiratory distress syndrome and informed consent. Injections were given upon admission to the study and 24, 48, and 168 hours later. Additional doses were given twice weekly as long as infants received oxygen therapy and could not tolerate feedings and vitamin supplements. Patients in the control group received same volumes of placebo, i.e., the vehicle. All infants received initially an intravenous protein solution containing vitamin E 2.5 U/L. Enteral feedings provided 16 U/L (formula) or 3 U/L (human milk). Patients tolerating feeds regularly were given oral vitamin E supplementation (Aquasol E®, USV Pharmaceutical Corp.) at a dose of 50 IU/day if weight was less than 1000 g and 25 IU/day if weight was greater than 1000 g. Among 100 patients enrolled into the study, 47 were in the experimental group and 53 in the control group. Average gestational ages were 30.3±2.7 and 30.5±2.9 weeks , respectively, in the experimental group and in the control group, and average birth weights were, respectively, 1427±432 and 1425±466 g. Outcome variables included mortality (NY Acad Sciences 1982, table I, page 454; with one additional later death in the treated group and three in the control group [page 458]), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (diagnosis based on clinical, radiologic and/or pathologic evidence), patent ductus arteriosus, patent ductus arteriosus requiring therapy, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retrolental fibroplasia (numerator: Table 5A (revised), Ehrenkranz, Ophthalmol 1982; 89: page 988; denominator: Ehrenkranz, Ann NY Acad Sci 1982, table I, page 454; data for very low birth weight: Hittner, NEJM 1982 page 868, Figure 1). A stage II retrolental fibroplasia in this study corresponds to a stage III from the current classification (NEJM 1982).
Ferlin 1998 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of oral supplementation with 25 IU/day of vitamin E and 4 mg/kg/day of elemental iron (provided as iron sulfate) on hematologic parameters in preterm infants. Entry criteria included: birth weight less than or equal to 1600 g and gestational age less than or equal to 35 weeks, informed consent, stable clinical course, no blood transfusion, regular follow-up visits after discharge, and absence of interfering events that would require discontinuation of medications. Patients were randomly allocated into one of four groups: group I: placebo started on the fifteenth day of life, iron starting at two months of age; group II: 4 mg/kg/day iron started on the fifteenth day of life; group III: 4 mg/kg/day iron and 25 IU/day alpha-tocopherol (Roche) orally started on the fifteenth day of life; group IV: 25 IU/day vitamin E started on the fifteenth day of life. All infants received 1.5 IU vitamin E/day and 0.1 mg iron (in multivitamin preparation) starting on the seventh day of life. Iron supplementation was started at 2 months of age in patients who had not been supplemented with iron yet. The 40 patients enrolled in the study were distributed equally among the four groups. Median birth weights and quartiles were 1395 g (1210, 1510), 1315 g (1210,1430), 1310 g (1290,1420) and 1385 g (1260,1540), respectively, in groups I through IV. For this systematic review we compared group III (treatment) with group II (control) and group IV (treatment) with group I (control). The only analyzable outcome variable is hemoglobin concentration at two months of age; for this purpose we used the individual data from Figure 2.
Finer 1982 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of serial intramuscular injections of vitamin E on neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. Entry criteria included: birth weight between 750 and 1500 g, appropriate for gestational age, and informed consent. Infants in the treated group received 25 mg vitamin E, two doses, administered intramuscularly respectively within 12 hours of birth and 12 hours afterwards; then 20 mg intramuscularly daily for 14 days, then 20 mg intramuscularly every three days for five doses; then either 100 U daily orally or (if feeds not tolerated) 20 mg intramuscularly every three days. Infants in the control group did not receive any injections. The osmolality of the oral preparation, used as a 1:1 dilution, was 2,025 mOsm/kg. Among 126 infants entered into the trial, 62 were allocated to the treatment group and 64 to the control group. Average birth weights and ranges were 1197 g (820-1460) in the treatment group and 1207 g (760-1500) in the control group, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 29.3 weeks (26-34) and 29.3 weeks (26-35). Outcome variables included bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Outcomes described in some Infants only include: acute or cicatricial stage of retrolental fibroplasia [Lancet 1982, Table V, page 1089] (patients surviving at least one month) and blindness from retrolental fibroplasia (patients examined).
Fischer 1987 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of oral administration of d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol-1000-succinate, 50 mg/day for three doses on bilirubin and hemoglobin in preterm infants. However, several infants received only 25 mg/day. Entry criteria included birth weight less than 1,500 g, normal size for gestational age, and informed consent. Control infants received placebo. The total number of patients entered into the study was 28, including seventeen in the treatment group and 11 in the control group. Average birth weights were 1220±170 g in the treatment group and 1250±150 g in the control group, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 30±1 weeks and 32±2 weeks. Outcome variables included hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations.
Fish 1990 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of dl-alpha-tocopherol (Ephynal®, Hoffmann-La Roche) intramuscularly on neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. Entry criteria included birth weight equal to or less than 1000 g, postnatal age equal to or less than 24 hours, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria were: extremely poor condition upon admission or major congenital abnormalities. Vitamin E was provided in four intramuscular doses at 15, 10, 10 and 10 mg/kg on days one, two, four and six of life, respectively, in preterm infants. Doses of dl-alpha-tocopherol 10 mg/kg were administered intramuscularly every three days if the attending neonatologist felt that the infant could not tolerate oral vitamin E after 7 days of life. Control patients received a placebo. All neonates received oral dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Aquasol E) 100 mg/kg/day beginning at admission; the dose was adjusted after day 7 to maintain total serum tocopherol level 0.5-3.5 mg/dl. The total number of patients entered into the study was 149, of which two were excluded after entry, 73 were in the treatment group and 74 in the control group. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 782±70 g and 783±76 g, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 26±1 weeks and 26±1 weeks. Outcome variables included mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, and local reaction at injection site.
Graeber 1977 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of vitamin E supplementation (2 doses tested) and that of iron supplementation on neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. Entry criteria included birth weight less than 1,500 g and gestational age less than 34 weeks. Exclusion criteria included ABO or Rh isoimmunization, hemoglobin value less than 13 g/dl at seven days of age, transfusion of whole blood or plasma at any age, transfusion of red blood cells after one week of age. Patients were divided into six groups according to the amount of vitamin E (none, 100 , 125 or 150 mg/kg intramuscularly) and the amount of iron-dextran complex (none or 25 mg intramuscularly on days 7, 14, 21 and 28). Each vitamin E dose was divided into four doses on days one and two, and days seven and eight, respectively. For this systematic review we regrouped patients according to vitamin E allocation. Among 35 infants entered into the study twenty were randomized to vitamin E supplementation (treatment) and fifteen to no supplementation (control). Birth weight ranged from 940 to 1470 g (mean 1270 g). Outcomes included bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retrolental fibroplasia.
Gross 1977 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of a total dose of 125 mg/kg tocopheryl acetate (Roche) on hemoglobin concentration in preterm infants. Entry criteria included birth weight less than 2,500 g, gestational age less than 36 weeks, well, breathing room air, and hemoglobin concentration greater than 13 g/dl on the third day of life. Exclusion criterion was either Rh or ABO isoimmunization. Vitamin E was given in eight divided doses, an injection in each thigh, on days four, five, six and seven of life. Controls received no injection. Neither group received iron supplementation. The twenty patients entered into the study were equally divided into the treatment group and the control group. Mean gestational ages in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 33.5±1.7 and 33.2±1.4 weeks, and mean birth weights were, respectively, 1717±176 and 1631±397 g. The outcome variable was hemoglobin concentration.
Gross 1979 is a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of a total dose of 50 mg/kg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Roche) administered intramuscularly in 6 divided doses, an injection in each thigh on days one, two and three of life. Entry criteria were birth weight between 1000 and 2000 g, and appropriate for gestational age. Exclusion criteria included hemoglobin concentration less than 13 g/dl, and Rh or ABO isoimmunization. Infants in the control group received no injection. Neither group received iron supplementation. Among the 40 patients entered into the study, twenty were assigned to the treatment group and twenty to the control group. Eligible infants had a birth weight between 1000 and 2000 g and were appropriate for gestational age; average weight values are not provided. The outcome variable we used for this review was serum bilirubin concentration on day four of life.
Hittner 1981 is a randomized trial assessing the effects of enteral administration of 100 mg/kg/day of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Aquasol E®, preparation containing Tween 80, propylene glycol, sorbitol, oil of anise, sodium saccharin, imitation butterscotch flavor) from the first day of life until discharge. Entry criteria included birth weight less than or equal to 1,500 g, requiring oxygen for respiratory distress, admitted to the unit within the first 24 hours of life, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included necrotizing enterocolitis preventing oral administration of vitamin E (n = 1). Patients who died within four weeks (n = 48) were excluded from all other outcomes. Osmolality of the enteral vitamin E preparation was 3000 mOsm/L (Hittner 1984). Control infants received a placebo solution. The total number of patients entered into the study was 150, including 75 allocated to the treatment group and 74 to the control group. Mean gestational ages in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 29.3±2.2 and 29.4±2.0 weeks, and mean birth weights 1093±245 and 1113±245 g. Outcome variables included (1) mortality (data from NEJM 1981, Figure 1, page 1367), and (2) among patients surviving at least four weeks and without necrotizing enterocolitis: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage and retrolental fibroplasia.
Hittner 1984 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of dl-alpha-tocopherol, 55 mg/ml (Ephynal®, Hoffman-La Roche, preparation containing benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, Emulphor E1-620, and buffering salts) at doses of 15, 10, 10, and 10 mg/kg on days 1, 2, 4 and 6 of life, respectively, in preterm infants. Entry criteria included birth weight equal to or less than 1,500 g, oxygen requirement for respiratory distress, admission within 24 hours, and informed consent. Patients who died before 10 weeks of life (n = 33) were excluded from all other outcomes. Controls received placebo injections. Vitamin E 100 mg/kg/day was given orally to all infants starting within the first 24 hours of life and until vascularization of the retina was complete. Oral vitamin E was provided as an emulsion of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in gelatin, silicon dioxide, polysorbate 80, and medium chain triglycerides; the osmolality was 150 mOsm/kg. Among the 168 patients entered into the study, 79 were allocated to the treatment group and 89 to the control group. Average gestational ages were 28.7±1.9 and 29.4±2.0 weeks, respectively, in the experimental group and in the control group, and average birth weights were, respectively, 1091±233 and 1113±245 g. Outcome variables included (1) mortality (Pediatrics 1984, Table 4 and Figure 1) and (2) among those surviving ten weeks: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, number of transfusions and amount of blood transfused (primary reference).
Jansson 1978 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of iron and vitamin E on hematologic parameters in preterm infants. Entry criterion was a birth weight less than 2500 g. Patients who died before ten weeks (n =33) were excluded from all other outcomes. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups. Group I (control) received ferrous succinate starting at three weeks of age (elemental iron 2-3 mg/kg/day); group II received dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (E-vitamin®, AB ACO, dispersible in lipid solutions) 15 mg/day started at 10 days and ferrous succinate started at 3 weeks; and group III received tocopheryl acetate 15 mg/day started at 10 days and ferrous succinate started at 10 weeks. Among the 57 enrolled patients, 24 were allocated to Group I, 17 to group II and 16 to group III. For this systematic review we compared groups I and II, in which iron was initiated at the same postnatal age. Average birth weights in groups I (control) and II (treatment) were 1899 and 1767 g for those < 2 kg and 2135 and 2330 g for those 2.000-2.499 kg, respectively (variability not provided). Mean gestational ages were, respectively, 34.6 and 35 weeks for those with a birth weight less than 2 kg, and 37.5 and 36.4 weeks for those with a birth weight between 2.000 and 2.499 kg. Outcome variables included hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count and platelet count.
Johnson 1989 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of parenteral vitamin E (under a FDA-approved IND) on retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants. Entry criteria included: (1) birth weight equal to or less than 2000 g or (2) gestational age equal to or less than 36 weeks and oxygen treatment required; informed consent, and admission within 5 days of age. Treatment included: (1) for infants receiving intravenous feeding: 15 mg/kg vitamin E intramuscularly and 15 mg/kg intravenously (given at a 1:100 dilution over an 8-hour period) at study admission, followed by 15 mg/kg intravenously the next day; (2) for infants receiving oral feedings: 15 mg/kg vitamin E intramuscularly and 100 mg/kg/day divided in aliquots in the feeds. Subsequent investigational vitamin E dosage was provided until retinal vascularization was complete or active ROP had subsided, to maintain serum tocopherol level of 5 mg/dl. Parenteral vitamin E was provided as free dl-alpha-tocopherol 50 mg/ml (55 IU/ml) emulsified with Emulfor E1-620. Enteral vitamin E was provided as free dl-alpha tocopherol 50 mg/ml with 180 mg/ml polysorbate 80, and 700 mg/ml propylene glycol 80. Controls received placebo both for oral and parenteral preparations, with dosage adjustments to mimic those in the control group. In infants in whom severe ROP had developed, the study medication was replaced with vitamin E. Among 914 infants enrolled into the study, 454 were allocated to the treatment group and 460 to the control group. Average birth weight was 1461±457 g in the treatment group and 1444±439 g in the controls. Average gestational age was 31.5±2.7 weeks in the treatment group and 31.6±2.8 weeks in the controls. Age at study entry was 1.6±1.2 days for patients in the treatment group and 1.5±1.0 days for controls. The only outcome variables available in the whole study population (Birth Defects 1988, page 226) was intraventricular hemorrhage. Examination for the presence of retinopathy of prematurity was done in 755 patients. Outcome variables available among the 545 infants with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g (Pediatrics 1985 & 1989) included mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (diagnosed radiographically), patent ductus arteriosus, patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment, sepsis after study entry, intraventricular hemorrhage (Birth Defects page 226), retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Outcome variables available in subsets of the population included sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants treated for more than one week, bilirubin (excluding hemolytic anemia, polycythemia, and prior transfusion: Pediatrics 1980), and amount of blood transfusion (subset of very low birth weight infants: Pediatrics 1989).
Melhorn 1971 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of iron and vitamin E on hemoglobin concentration in infants admitted to the premature nursery. Exclusion criteria included: either small or large for gestational age, hemoglobin concentration < 14 g/dl in the first 24 hours of life, blood group incompatibility, hemoglobinopathy, red blood cell enzyme deficiency, infection, defects requiring surgical intervention. After stratification for gestational age and birth weight within the first 48 hours of life, patients were randomized to one of four groups: Group I: no supplement (control); Group II: vitamin E: alpha tocopheryl acetate 25 units/day orally from the eighth to the forty-second day of life; group III: iron from the fifteenth to forty-second day of life: 10 mg/day if weight < 1500 g, 15 mg/day if weight 1501-2000 g, 20 mg/day if weight > 2001 g; group IV: iron and vitamin E. Among the 234 enrolled into the study, data are available in 186, including 45 randomized to group I, 47 to group II, 44 to group III and 50 to group IV. In category A, mean gestational age in each ranged from 30 to 31 weeks and mean birth weight ranged from 1170 grams to 1280 grams. In category B, mean gestational age was 34 weeks in each group, and mean birth weight ranged from 1700 grams to 1775 grams. In category C, mean gestational age in each group ranged from 37 to 38 weeks and mean birth weight from 2168 grams to 2243 grams. We assessed the effect of vitamin E by comparing group II with group I (no iron) and group IV with group III (iron). Outcome variables in categories A and B included hemoglobin at ten weeks of age and reticulocyte count.
Pathak 2003 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of enteral administration of vitamin E 50 IU/day on hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count in very low birth weight infants receiving erythropoietin and iron. Entry criteria included: gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks, birth weight less than or equal to 1250 grams, clinically stable (less than 7.5 ml/week phlebotomy, oxygen requirement less than or equal to 35%, intermittent mandatory ventilation less than or equal to 25 breaths per minute, and mean airway pressure less than or equal to 8 cm of water). Exclusion criteria included: a disease involving any major organ system, life-threatening congenital malformations or sepsis, isoimmunization with clinically apparent hemolytic anemia, hemolytic disorder, and intraventricular hemorrhage grade III or greater. Controls received placebo. All patients entered into the study were receiving erythropoietin 100 units/kg/day five days a week for eight weeks or until discharge, whichever came first. Infants fed intravenously received a multivitamin preparation (MVI Pediatric®) containing 1.4 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/ml at a dose of 1.5 ml/day and 3.25 ml/day to infants weighing < 1 kg and > 1 kg, respectively. All infants fed enterally at least 40 ml/kg/day received oral iron 6 mg/kg/day and 1 ml of a multivitamin preparation containing 5 U/ml vitamin E. Among 30 patients entered into the study, 15 were allocated to the treatment group and 15 to the control group. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 928±170 grams and 899±159 grams, average gestational ages were, respectively, 27.9±1.9 and 27.9±1.5 weeks, and postnatal ages at the time of study entry were, respectively, 24.4±15.5 days and 28.1±10.1 days. Outcome variables included mortality, patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count, number of transfusions, and total volume of blood transfused.
Phelps 1987a is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of intravenous administration of a dose of 20 mg/kg of an investigational drug [nonesterified dl-alpha-tocopherol in alcohol or its vehicle (10% ethyl alcohol, 10% propylene glycol, 10% Emulphor, 1% benzyl alcohol, and buffering salts)] provided within 24 hours of birth and repeated on day two (and sometimes day three). Entry criteria included: birth weight less than 1.5 kg or gestational age less than 33 weeks, less than 24 hours of age, free from recognized congenital anomalies of the eyes or congenital anomalies incompatible with survival, and informed consent. Doses were adjusted to achieve plasma tocopherol levels of 3-3.5 mg/dl. Average daily intramuscular dose was 14.4±4.7 mg/kg/day during the first week, and ranged between 4.1 and 7.0 mg/kg/day during the subsequent weeks. Infants fed enterally received enteral vitamin E (free tocopherol), which was started at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day and adjusted according to the serum level. Supplemental intramuscular injections were given to infants with plasma levels lower than 2.5 mg/dl despite oral doses exceeding 200 mg/kg/day. Average oral dose (after the initial parenteral administration) was 69±66 mg/kg/day; 56 of 108 patients with oral vitamin E administration received intramuscular supplementation (one to four doses). Control infants received placebo. All infants fed intravenously received 1.2 mg/kg/day of tocopheryl acetate in standard multivitamin supplements. Controls received therapeutic vitamin E if they developed hemolytic anemia associated with a plasma level of tocopherol less than 0.5 mg/dl. Infants requiring surgery or chest tube placement were given vitamin A 2500 IU/day for a week. The total number of patients entered into the study was 287, including 140 in the treatment group and 147 in the control group. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 1181±307 grams and 1205±319 grams, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 29.5±2.5 weeks and 29.9±1.5 weeks. Outcome variables included (1) among all infants: mortality, sepsis after 48 hours, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis, (2) among 232 infants with ophthalmologic examination: retinal hemorrhage, and (3) among 196 surviving infants: retinopathy of prematurity.
Rönnholm 1989 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of dU-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate 20 mg/kg/day (Ephynal®, Hoffmann-La Roche) during the first three days of life in preterm infants. The entry criterion was a birth weight less than or equal to 1520 g. Patients in both groups received oral administration of water soluble vitamin E dl-alpha-tocopheropolyethylene glycolol 1000-succinate (part of a multivitamin preparation, Ekavitol®, Orion Corp Ltd) in increasing doses of 1.6 mg/day on day 3 to 10 mg/day at age 2-12 weeks. Controls received oral vitamin E only. Iron supplementation was started gradually at two weeks of age, and increased until six weeks of age to reach four mg/kg/day if birth weight was <= 1000 grams and 3 mg/kg/day if birth weight was > 1000 grams. Vitamin A was supplemented as retinol palmitate (1500 IU/day), starting at twelve weeks of postnatal age, or approximately 42 weeks of postmenstrual age, i.e., after all outcomes of interest had already been assessed. Patients were also randomly supplemented with human milk protein, medium-chain triglycerides, both or neither. The total number of patients entered into the study was 54, including 23 allocated to the treatment group and 31 to the control group. Absolutely no data are provided about the three patients who died from respiratory distress syndrome or from cerebral hemorrhage. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 1153±245 grams and 1222±228 grams, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 29.9±1.9 weeks and 30.4±2.1 weeks. Outcome variables among the 51 survivors included bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Rudolph 1989 is a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) at dose of 25 mg/kg within 12 hours of birth, with repeated injections 24 hours later, and at 4, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days of age, yielding a total cumulative dose of 175 mg/kg on neonatal outcome. Entry criteria included: preterm delivery, birth weight 750-1500 g, and intensive care. Controls received no vitamin E supplementation. All infants fed intravenously received 2.5 IU vitamin E per liter of parenteral solution. Among the 29 patients entered into the study, thirteen were allocated to the treatment group and sixteen to the control group. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 1202±198 grams and 1187±198 grams, and average gestational ages were, respectively, 30.7±2.3 weeks and 30.5±1.6 weeks. Outcome variables included mortality, patent ductus arteriosus (assessed clinically), severe retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Saldanha 1982 is a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects on intramuscular administration of 25 mg of dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) upon entry into the study and daily thereafter until serum tocopherol level rose above 2-4 mg/dl or until oxygen was no longer required. Entry criteria included gestational age less than 37 weeks, hyaline membrane disease, oxygen requirement at least 60% in first 24 hours or 80% thereafter, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included cyanotic heart disease, multiple malformations, and known infectious disease. Controls received no injection. The total number of patients entered into the study was 44, including 21 in the treatment group and 23 in the control group. Average birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group were, respectively, 1458±491 grams and 1554±557 grams. Average gestational ages among patients surviving ten days were, respectively, 32.4±2.1 weeks and 32.9±2.9 weeks. Outcome variables among patients surviving ten days or more included: bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus (diagnosed clinically).
Schiller 1980 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of dl-alpha-tocopherol (175 mg/kg over a 30-day period) on patent ductus arteriosus. Entry criteria were: preterm infant, and birth weight < 1750 g. Time of onset is not provided. Controls did not receive any injection. Among the 29 infants entered into the study, sixteen were allocated to the treatment group, and thirteen to the control group. The outcome variable was patent ductus arteriosus.
Sinha 1987 is a randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal®, Hoffman-La Roche) 20 mg/kg daily for three doses commencing within two hours after randomization (first day of life). Entry criteria included gestational age equal or less than 32 weeks, admitted from January 1984 to September 1985. No exclusion criteria were used before randomization; however, patients randomized before delivery and found after birth to have lethal malformations were excluded from the study. Controls received no placebo. The mothers of some infants were part of another randomized trial: they were allocated either to vitamin E 400 mg every 4-6 hours or to placebo capsules during preterm labor. Among the 231 patients entered into the study, no data are provided on the three infants with lethal malformations, so that the total number of patients retained in the study is 228 (presumably 115 treated patients and 113 controls, based on totals in Table II plus numbers of excluded patients in the second paragraph of the discussion). Only partial data are provided in 18 patients with a hemorrhage on the initial ultrasonography obtained within two hours of life or (if out born) upon admission to the unit. In the manuscript, several data are presented only in the 210 patients with negative initial scan (102 patients in the treatment group and 108 in the control group), including birth weights in the treatment group and in the control group (respectively, 1273±315 grams and 1214±346 grams), gestational ages (respectively, 29.3±2.0 weeks and 28.8±2.2 weeks), and complete information about the classification of the intracranial hemorrhage. The authors used a classification in 3 grades; therefore, grade 3 was re-coded into Papile's grade IV (intraparenchymal hemorrhage). Outcome variables available in all patients included mortality, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (adding numbers in Table II and those in the second paragraph of the discussion), necrotizing enterocolitis, and reaction at site of injection.
Smith 1985 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of oral administration of dl-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol-succinate (Mead Johnson) 50 mg/day once a day for three consecutive days; the first dose was given before 24 hours of life. Entry criteria included: gestational age 30-36 weeks, birth weight 970-2610 g, healthy, lack of pulmonary disease or oxygen requirement, no ABO or Rh isoimmunization, and no other sources of bilirubin production, such as hematoma or bruising. The only exclusion criterion was infection. Control patients received placebo. All infants were fed either breast milk or a proprietary formula without iron (vitamin E contents ranging from 12 to 25 IU/L). Decisions regarding phototherapy were made by staff physicians who were unaware of the study results. Among 30 patients entered into the study, seventeen were allocated to the treatment group and thirteen to the control group. Average birth weights were 1.79±0.38 kg in the treatment group and 1.83±0.33 kg in the control group; average gestational ages were 32.6±1.6 weeks and 33.4±1.5 weeks, respectively. Outcome variables included bilirubin concentration and hemoglobin concentration.
Zipursky 1987 is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of enteral (gavage) supplementation of 25 IU vitamin E daily provided as 16 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) for six weeks in preterm infants smaller than 1500 g on anemia, coagulation tests and serum tocopherol levels. Entry criteria included birth weight < 1500 g, expected survival greater than 48 hours, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included major congenital anomalies and Rhesus hemolytic disease. Infants in the control group received placebo (Tween 80). Age at entry into the trial was 2.7±3 days in treatment group and 2.9±2 days in control group. Infants in both groups also received recommended amounts of vitamin E, either in breast milk (5.4 IU/L and 0.8 mg/g of PUFA), SMA 20 (10 IU/L or 1.3 mg/g of PUFA) or SMA 24 (12 IU/L or 1.3 mg/g of PUFA). The range of PUFA content in milk used was 4-6 g/L. No added iron was provided, although SMA 20 and SMA 24 contained, respectively, 12.7 and 15.2 mg/L of iron sulfate. Individual or group amounts of feeding are not provided, so that total amount of iron cannot be calculated. The total number of patients is not the same in the two follow-up manuscripts (266 in Milner 1981 and 268 in Watts 1991). Assuming that these differences represent loss to follow-up (two patients lost to follow-up acknowledged in Milner 1981), the total number of patients is presumed to be 269 infants entered into the study, with 135 allocated to the treatment group and 134 to the control group. Average birth weights were 1149± 244 g and 1158±251 g in the treatment group and in the control group, respectively, and average gestational ages were 29.2±2.7 and 29.1±2.7 weeks, respectively. Mean age at entry into the trial was 2.7±3 days in the treatment group and 2.9±2 days in the control group. Baseline characteristics (number of infants < 1000 g, percentage of infants with severe illness) were similar in the two groups. Outcome variables included mortality and stages III or IV bronchopulmonary dysplasia (defined, respectively, by bilateral cystic lesions without or with fibrosis) and retrolental fibroplasia, and among specific subsets, hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count, platelet count, and coagulation tests.
2. Vitamin E versus another type or route of vitamin E formulation
Only one study was in this group. Bonati 1991
compared between two formulations of intramuscular vitamin E the amount
of drug absorption and clinical outcomes in live born infants with gestational
age less or equal to 32 weeks. Entry criteria included: live born infant,
gestational age equal or less than 32 weeks, no malformations, born in
participating centers over 3 months, and admitted to a neonatal intensive
care within two hours of birth. Patients received three daily doses of
20 mg/kg of vitamin E starting at 8 hours of life. Infants were randomly
allocated to the treatment group, receiving dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
as an aqueous colloidal solution (Ephynal®, Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel,
Switzerland), or to the control group, receiving alpha-tocopherol in olive
oil solution (Evio Forte®, Bracco, Milan). The exact amounts of vitamin
E administered enterally and by transfusion are not provided. Infants received
2-98 ml/kg/day of enteral feeding, including breast milk (vitamin E content
1.11±0.53 mg/100 ml) or formula (vitamin E content 0.23±0.08
mg/100 ml). Among 50 enrolled patients, 44 (22 in each group) completed
the study. Birth weights ranged from 670 g to 1800 g with an average of
1217±311 g. Average gestational age was 29.0±2.5 weeks.
1. Vitamin E versus placebo
Chiswick 1982: No information is provided
about the method of randomization or about blinding of allocation. Since
patients in the control group did not receive intramuscular injection of
vitamin E, intervention and outcome were not blinded. Although information
is provided on all patients entered into the study, the exact number of
patients with intraventricular hemorrhage is not provided, because not
all patients had a computerized tomography or an autopsy. The authors assumed
that all patients who died had an intraventricular hemorrhage; in one case,
neither computerized tomography nor autopsy was available to confirm this
assumption. For the purpose of this review, we only used confirmed cases
of intraventricular hemorrhage.
Chiswick 1983: No information is provided about the method of randomization or about blinding of allocation. Since patients in the control group did not receive intramuscular injection of vitamin E, intervention and outcome were not blinded. The number of patients with intraventricular hemorrhage may have been underestimated because not all patients had ultrasonograms performed after 3 days of age.
Cruz 1983: No information is provided about the method of randomization or about blinding of allocation. Since patients in the control group did not receive intramuscular injection of vitamin E, intervention and outcome were not blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Ehrenkranz 1982 is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The method of randomization is not provided. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Follow-up was complete; however, assessment for intraventricular hemorrhage by ultrasonogram or computerized tomography was obtained in only 27 of 47 patients in the experimental group and 39 of 53 in the control group. Therefore, the rate of intraventricular hemorrhage may have been underestimated.
Ferlin 1998 is a randomized controlled trial with four parallel arms. The methods for randomization and blinding of allocation are not provided. Intervention and outcome were blinded. Completeness of follow-up is unclear; by design, only patients with regular follow-up visits after discharge were included.
Finer 1982: For randomization the authors used sealed envelopes, and stratification by birth weight and by severity of respiratory distress (requirement for oxygen and endotracheal intubation). Since controls did not receive placebo injections, intervention was not blinded. In contrast, the main outcome variable for the trial (retrolental fibroplasia) was blinded. Most data are available only for the 99 infants who completed the trial, i.e., survived for at least one month.
Fischer 1987 is a double-blind randomized trial. The method of randomization is not provided. Intervention and outcome were blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Fish 1990 is a double-blind randomized trial. Randomization was performed by the pharmacy after stratification by birth weight. Although a placebo was given to the control group, the intervention was not entirely blinded because tocopherol levels were available to the clinicians, who were adjusting the dose accordingly after day seven of life. Two infants were excluded from statistical analysis because of initial inapparent structural anomalies (congenital heart disease and hydranencephaly). Outcome was blinded.
Graeber 1977: The method of randomization is not provided. Intervention and outcome were not blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Gross 1977: The method of randomization is not provided. Intervention and outcome were not blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Gross 1979: The method of randomization is not provided; however, randomization was stratified by weight (1000-1500 g and 1501-2000 g). Neither intervention, nor outcome were blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Hittner 1981 is a double-blind randomized trial. Randomization was performed using a random-number table, after stratification by weight. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Follow-up was not complete: information on 49 patients is incomplete. One patient with necrotizing enterocolitis was excluded (no information on treatment allocation), and one patient was excluded for necrotizing enterocolitis preventing oral administration of vitamin E (n=1). Patients who died before four weeks (n=48) were excluded from all other outcomes.
Hittner 1984 is a double-masked randomized trial. Randomization was conducted using a random-number table, after stratification by weight. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Mortality was reported only until ten weeks of life. None of the other outcomes are reported for the 33 patients who died before 10 weeks.
Jansson 1978: The method of randomization was not provided; randomization was stratified by weight (1000-1999 and 2000-2499 g). Neither treatment allocation, nor intervention, nor outcome was blinded. All patients were followed.
Johnson 1989 is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The method of randomization is not provided. Randomization was stratified by hospital and by birth weight. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Complete data are available in only 755 of 914 enrolled.
Melhorn 1971: The method of randomization is not provided. Randomization was stratified by weight and gestational age. Data are provided on only 186 patients. Whether allocation was blinded is unclear. Neither intervention nor outcome were blinded.
Pathak 2003 is a randomized double-blind trial. Randomization was done using sealed envelopes in the pharmacy. Allocation, intervention, and outcome were blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Phelps 1987a is a randomized double-blind trial. Randomization was performed using sealed envelopes stratified by study center, sex, and birth weight, opened at the pharmacy (center 1) or drug control center (center 2). Numbers were balanced by groups of eight. Multiple births were randomized separately so that one of each pair received placebo and one tocopherol. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Follow-up was complete for several neonatal outcomes. However retinal examinations were not obtained in 55 infants, including nine infants lost to follow-up and 46 who had died. Among the 80 infants who developed retinopathy of prematurity, 53 completed the study, eighteen were lost to follow-up and nine died with active retinopathy of prematurity.
Rönnholm 1989: The method of randomization is not provided, so that blinding of allocation cannot be assessed. Neither intervention, nor outcome was blinded. Three patients died of respiratory distress or cerebral hemorrhage and were excluded from the analysis.
Rudolph 1989: The method of randomization is not provided. Blinding of allocation cannot be assessed. The intervention was not blinded, but the outcome, assessed by a cardiologist, was blinded. Follow-up was complete.
Saldanha 1982: Randomization was performed by drawing of a card from a randomized deck. Neither allocation, nor intervention, nor outcome was blinded. Incomplete data provided on nine babies who died before 10 days of age.
Schiller 1980: The method of randomization is not provided. Blinding of allocation cannot be assessed. The intervention was not blinded, whereas outcome was blinded. Whether follow-up was complete is unclear.
Sinha 1987 is a randomized trial using sealed envelopes and thus allocation was blinded. However, controls did not receive a placebo, so that intervention was not blinded. Whether outcome was blinded is unclear. Three inborn infants randomized before birth had lethal major malformations and were excluded from the study. Eighteen infants had a periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage on the initial scan; for these infants, only partial information is provided about the severity of the bleeding during the study.
Smith 1985 is a randomized double-blind trial, so that allocation, intervention and outcome should be blinded; nevertheless, no information is provided about the method of randomization. Follow-up was complete.
Zipursky 1987 is a double-blind randomized
controlled trial in which the authors used a computerized randomization
generated in the pharmacy and stratified by birth weight and by severity
of illness. Allocation, intervention and outcome were blinded. Information
on chronic lung disease was available in 266 of 269 enrolled infants, while
only 225 infants had an eye examination. In the treatment group, hemoglobin
levels, reticulocyte counts, and platelet counts were available in 44,
31, and 32 infants, respectively, at 6 weeks of age. In the control group,
hemoglobin levels, reticulocyte counts, and platelet counts were available
in 46, 33, and 36 infants, respectively,
at 6 weeks.
2. Vitamin E versus another type or route of vitamin E formulation
Bonati 1991: No information is provided
about method of randomization of the first baby within each center. Subsequent
infants were given alternating medication, so that allocation, intervention
and outcome were . In each participating center, the first enrolled infant
was randomly allocated to one of the two formulations; allocation was alternated
in each subsequent infant. Among 50 patients in this study, only 44 completed
the three-day schedule of vitamin E; no data are provided on the other
infants. Outcome variables included mortality, patent ductus arteriosus,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular
hemorrhage, sepsis, phototherapy, exchange transfusion and tocopherol levels.
1. VITAMIN E VERSUS PLACEBO OR NO TREATMENT:
1.1. PRIMARY OUTCOMES:
MORTALITY
01.01. Mortality until discharge
Mortality was assessed in twelve studies, involving a total of 994
treated patients and 1034 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect mortality (typical estimate, relative risk [RR] 0.97, confidence
interval [CI] 0.83, 1.14; risk difference [RD] -0.01, CI -0.04, +0.03).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.02), by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect mortality in any of the analyses.
01.02. Mortality until discharge among very low birth weight infants
Mortality was assessed in seven studies, involving a total of 628 treated
patients and 648 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect mortality (typical estimate RR 0.97, CI 0.80, 1.16; RD -0.01, CI
-0.05, +0.04).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron, and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect mortality in any of the analyses.
COMBINED OUTCOMES:
No trial assessed combined outcome at eighteen months including mortality
[mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, blindness, mental retardation or
cerebral palsy], nor combined outcome at 18 months excluding mortality
[bronchopulmonary dysplasia, blindness, mental retardation or cerebral
palsy].
1.2. SECONDARY OUTCOMES:
BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA
01.03. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was assessed in six studies, involving a
total number of 558 treated patients and 569 controls. Vitamin E supplementation
did not significantly affect the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical
estimate RR 0.91, CI 0.73, 1.14; RD -0.02, CI -0.07, +0.03).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.04), by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron, PUFA and vitamin A. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.04. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among very low birth weight infants
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was assessed in four studies, involving
a total number of 484 treated patients and 488 controls. Vitamin E supplementation
did not significantly affect the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical
estimate RR 0.89, CI 0.71, 1.13; RD -0.02, CI -0.08, +0.03).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron, PUFA and vitamin A. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.05. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among surviving patients
This outcome was assessed in four studies, involving a total of 159
treated patients and 163 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical estimate RR 1.15,
CI 0.84, 1.58; RD 0.04, CI -0.05, +0.13).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.06), by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.06. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among surviving very low birth weight
infants
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving a total of 118
treated patients and 118 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical estimate RR 1.07,
CI 0.70, 1.64; RD 0.02, CI -0.10, +0.13).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.07. Radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at six weeks
to two months of age
This outcome was analyzed in four studies, involving a total of 176
treated patients and 188 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect
the risk of radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical estimate
RR 0.99, CI 0.67, 1.46; RD 0.00, CI -0.09, +0.08).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.08), by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.08. Radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at six weeks
to
two months of age among very low birth weight infants
This outcome was analyzed in two studies, involving a total of 129
treated patients and 135 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect
the risk of radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (typical estimate
RR 0.95, CI 0.61, 1.47; RD -0.01, CI -0.11, +0.09).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group, and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS
01.09. Patent ductus arteriosus
Patent ductus arteriosus was assessed in six studies, involving a total
number of 481 treated patients and 495 controls. Vitamin E supplementation
did not significantly affect the risk of patent ductus arteriosus (typical
estimate RR 1.07, CI 0.93, 1.23; RD 0.03, CI -0.03, +0.09).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.10), by route of administration, total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.10. Patent ductus arteriosus among very low birth weight infants
Patent ductus arteriosus was assessed in four studies, involving a
total number of 418 treated patients and 429 controls. Vitamin E supplementation
did not significantly affect the risk of patent ductus arteriosus (typical
estimate RR 1.09, CI 0.93, 1.28; RD 0.04, CI -0.03, +0.10).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.11. Patent ductus arteriosus among surviving patients (at ten days
to ten weeks of age)
This outcome was assessed in three, involving a total of 136 treated
patients and 135 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of patent ductus arteriosus (typical estimate RR 0.98,
CI 0.70, 1.38; RD -0.01, CI -0.11, +0.10).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.12), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.12. Patent ductus arteriosus among surviving very low birth weight
infants (at ten days to ten weeks of age)
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving a total of 118
treated patients and 118 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of patent ductus arteriosus (typical estimate RR 0.85,
CI 0.57, 1.27; RD -0.04, CI -0.15, +0.07).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.13. Patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total number
of 332 treated patients and 343 controls. Summary statistics showed no
significant effect of vitamin E on patent ductus arteriosus (typical estimate
RR 1.02, CI 0.79, 1.31; RD 0.00, CI -0.06, +0.07) with significant heterogeneity
among studies both for RR (chi-square 5.99, p = 0.05) and RD (chi-square
6.78, p=0.034).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.14), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by iron intake. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk for patent ductus arteriosus requiring therapy in the following subgroup analyses: (1) excluding intravenous therapy (01.13.06) (typical estimate RR 0.56, CI 0.32, 0.97; RD -0.17, CI -0.31, -0.02), (2) Duration of treatment greater than one week (01.13.12) (typical estimate RR 0.56, CI 0.32, 0.97; RD -0.17, CI -0.31, -0.02); (3) vitamin E intake greater than 10 mg/100 Kcal in the control group (01.13.14) in a single study (estimate RR 0.54, CI 0.31, 0.95; RD -0.22, CI -0.40, -0.03). Ehrenkranz 1982 was the only study showing significant effect of vitamin E on this outcome; vitamin E was provided intramuscularly at high dose, starting within 48 hours and for more than one week in the treatment group, and vitamin E intake was greater than 10 mg/100 Kcal in the control group.
01.14. Patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment among very low birth
weight infants
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total number
of 285 treated patients and 290 controls. Summary statistics showed no
significant effect of vitamin E on patent ductus arteriosus (typical estimate
RR 1.20, CI 0.89, 1.60; RD 0.04, CI -0.03, +0.11).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by iron intake. Vitamin E did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
SEPSIS
01.15. Sepsis after study entry
Sepsis was assessed in four studies, involving a total number of 498
treated patients and 511 controls. Summary statistics showed a significant
increase in risk of sepsis (typical estimate RR 1.52, CI 1.13, 2.04; RD
0.06, CI 0.02, 0.11). There was significant heterogeneity among studies
for RD (chi-square 8.15, p=0.04) but not for RR (chi-square 2.89, p=0.41).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.16), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by iron intake. Vitamin E significantly increased the risk of sepsis in the following subgroup analyses: (1) parenteral with or without enteral (01.13.03) or parenteral with hypertonic enteral formulation at pharmacologic dose (01.15.04) (typical estimate RR 1.57, CI 1.15, 2.14; RD 0.06, CI 0.02, 0.11); (2) Intravenous administration (01.15.05) (typical estimate RR 1.54, CI 1.07, 2.21; RD 0.05, CI 0.01, 0.10). However, there was significant heterogeneity among studies for RD (chi-square 6.25, p=0.01) but not for RR (chi-square 2.13, p=0.14); (3) Total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group greater than 30 IU/kg/day (01.15.07) (typical estimate RR 1.57, CI 1.15, 2.14; RD 0.06, CI 0.02, 0.11); (4) Serum tocopherol level in the treatment group greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.15.09) (typical estimate RR 1.72, CI 1.24, 2.40; RD 0.10, CI 0.04, 0.15); (5) Onset of treatment within 48 hours of life (01.15.10) (typical estimate RR 1.57, CI 1.15, 2.14; RD 0.06, CI 0.02, 0.11); (6) Total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg vit E/100 kcal (01.15.13) (typical estimate RR 1.48, CI 1.05, 2.08; RD 0.05, CI 0.01, 0.10).
01.16. Sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in four randomized trials, involving a total
number of 400 treated patients and 407 controls. Summary statistics showed
a significant increase in risk of sepsis (typical estimate RR 1.53, CI
1.13, 2.08; RD 0.07, CI 0.02, 0.13).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by iron intake. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk of sepsis in the following subgroups: (1) Birth weight less or equal to 1500 grams (01.16.02) (typical estimate RR 1.65, CI 1.13, 2.40; RD 0.08, CI 0.02, 0.14); (2) Subgroup characterized by parenteral with or without enteral (01.16.05), by total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group greater than 30 IU/kg/day (01.16.09) and by onset of therapy within 48 hours of life (01.16.12) (typical estimate RR 1.59, CI 1.15, 2.18; RD 0.08, CI 0.03, 0.13); (3) Intravenous vitamin E administration (01.16.07) (typical estimate RR 1.56, CI 1.07, 2.27; RD 0.07, CI 0.01, 0.12); (4) Serum level in the treatment group > 3.5 mg/dl (01.16.11) (typical estimate RR 1.72, CI 1.24,2.40; RD 0.10, CI 0.04,0.15); and (5) total dose of vitamin E in the control group <= 10 mg/100 kcal (01.16.15) (typical estimate RR 1.49, CI 1.04, 2.13; RD 0.06, CI 0.01, 0.12).
01.17. Sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants
treated for more than one week
This outcome was assessed in four randomized trials, involving a total
number of 362 treated patients and 364 controls. Summary statistics showed
a significant increase in risk of sepsis (typical estimate RR 1.63, CI
1.17, 2.26; RD 0.08, CI 0.03, 0.13).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E and iron intake in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk of sepsis in the following subgroups: (1) Birth weight less or equal to 1500 grams (01.17.02) (typical estimate RR 1.79, CI 1.27, 2.53; RD 0.10, CI 0.04, 0.16); (2) Subgroup characterized by parenteral vitamin E with or without enteral administration (01.17.05), by total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group greater than 30 IU/kg/day (01.17.08) and by onset of therapy within 48 hours of life (01.17.11) (typical estimate RR 1.70, CI 1.20, 2.41; RD 0.08, CI 0.03, 0.14); (3) Intravenous vitamin E administration (01.17.06) (typical estimate RR 1.72, CI 1.11, 2.66; RD 0.07, CI 0.02, 0.13); (4) Serum level in the treatment group > 3.5 mg/dl (01.17.10) (typical estimate RR 1.90, CI 1.31, 2.75; RD 0.11, CI 0.05, 0.16); and (5) total dose of vitamin E in the control group <= 10 mg/100 kcal (01.17.13) (typical estimate RR 1.61, CI 1.08, 2.41; RD 0.07, CI 0.02, 0.13).
01.18. Sepsis among surviving very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in two trials, involving 143 treated patients
and 141 controls. Summary statistics showed no significant effect of vitamin
E on sepsis (typical estimate RR 0.88, CI 0.48, 1.62; RD -0.02, CI -0.09,
+0.06).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
GERMINAL MATRIX/INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE
01.19. Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile's classification,
grade I-IV)
This outcome was assessed in seven studies involving 864 treated patients
and 891 controls. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk
of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (typical estimate RR 0.85,
CI 0.73, 0.99; RD -0.04, CI -0.08, 0.00). There was significant heterogeneity
among studies for RD (chi-square 17.81, p=0.0067) but not for RR (chi-square
8.54, p=0.2).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.20), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk of hemorrhage in the following subgroups: (1) parenteral vitamin E administration with or without additional enteral vitamin E (01.19.03) (typical estimate RR 0.84, CI 0.72, 0.98; RD -0.04, CI -0.08, -0.01); (2) excluding intravenous vitamin E administration (01.19.06) (typical estimate RR 0.71, CI 0.58, 0.87; RD -0.14, CI -0.22, -0.06); (3) total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group less than or equal to 30 IU/kg/day (01.19.07) (typical estimate RR 0.65, CI 0.50, 0.85; RD -0.18, CI -0.29, -0.08); (4) onset of treatment within 48 hours of life (01.19.11), involving all patients in all studies for this outcome (for typical estimates see summary statistics); and (5) duration of vitamin E treatment less than or equal to one week (01.19.12) (typical estimate RR 0.65, CI 0.50, 0.85; RD -0.18, CI -0.29, -0.08).
01.20. Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile's classification,
grade I-IV) among very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in three studies involving 385 treated patients
and 392 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of hemorrhage
(typical estimate RR 0.94, CI 0.75, 1.18; RD -0.02, CI -0.07, +0.04).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.21. Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile's classification,
grade I-IV) among infants with negative initial ultrasonogram
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 102 treated patients
and 108 controls. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk
for hemorrhage (estimate RR 0.57, CI 0.40, 0.80; RD -0.23, CI -0.36, -0.10).
01.22. Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile's classification,
grade I-IV) among survivors
This outcome was assessed in three studies involving 166 treated patients
and 169 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of hemorrhage
(typical estimate RR 1.06, CI 0.70, 1.60; RD 0.01, CI -0.07, +0.10).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.23), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.23. Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile's classification,
grade I-IV) among surviving low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in two trials, involving 143 treated patients
and 141 controls. Summary statistics showed no significant effect of vitamin
E on germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (typical estimate RR 1.05,
CI 0.69, 1.60; RD 0.01, CI -0.09, +0.11).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.24. Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III or IV)
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total of 315
treated patients and 329 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (typical estimate
RR 0.91, CI 0.60, 1.38; RD -0.01, CI -0.06, +0.04). There was significant
heterogeneity among studies both for RR and RD (chi-square 6.98, p=0.03).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.25), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.25. Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III or IV) among very
low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving a total of 213
treated patients and 221 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (typical estimate
RR 1.03, CI 0.67, 1.60; RD +0.01, CI -0.06, +0.07). There was significant
heterogeneity among studies both for RR (chi-square 4.80, p = 0.029) and
RD (chi-square 4.89, p=0.027).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.26. Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III or IV) among surviving
very low birth weight infants
This outcome was analyzed in three studies, involving a total of 158
treated patients and 162 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of hemorrhage (typical estimate RR 0.76, CI 0.41, 1.39;
RD -0.03, CI -0.10, +0.04 with significant heterogeneity among the studies
for RD (chi-square 7.48, p=0.024).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk of hemorrhage (1) in the subgroup of patients with birth weight less than 1000 grams (01.26.03) (typical estimate RR 0.31, CI 0.10,0.92; RD -0.13, CI -0.24,-0.02), and (2) in that with serum levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.26.11) (estimate RR 0.20, CI 0.05, 0.85; RD 0.20, CI 0.05, 0.85).
PARENCHYMAL BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
01.27. Parenchymal brain hemorrhage (grade IV)
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving 242 treated patients
and 255 controls. Meta-analysis showed no significant overall effect of
vitamin E on the risk of hemorrhage (typical estimate RR 1.35, CI 0.69,
2.67; RD 0.02, CI -0.02, +0.06) but showed substantial heterogeneity between
the two studies both for RR (chi-square 5.31, p = 0.021) and RD (chi-square
7.73, p=0.0054).
Subgroup analysis: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.28), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Subgroup analysis suggests that the significant difference in results between the two studies could be attributed to dose (01.27.06-07), duration (01.27.10-11) and type of administration (01.27.03-05): Phelps 1987a used high-dose, intravenous and prolonged administration of vitamin E, in contrast with Sinha 1987, which used low-dose, intramuscular vitamin E for less than one week.
01.28. Parenchymal brain hemorrhage (grade IV) among very low birth
weight infants
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving 42 treated patients
and 43 controls. Vitamin E supplementation in infants less than 1000 grams
significantly increased the risk for hemorrhage (estimate RR 9.21, CI 1.22,
69.58; RD 0.19, CI 0.06, 0.032). This study used high-dose, intravenous
and prolonged administration of vitamin E.
01.29. Parenchymal brain hemorrhage (grade IV) among patients with negative
initial ultrasonogram
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving 102 treated
patients and 108 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk for hemorrhage (estimate RR 0.30, CI 0.06, 1.42; RD -0.05,
CI -0.10, + 0.01).
01.30. Parenchymal brain hemorrhage (grade IV) among surviving very
low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving 118 treated patients
and 118 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the risk of hemorrhage (typical estimate RR 1.46, CI 0.46, 4.66; RD 0.02,
CI -0.04, +0.07).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY OR RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA
01.31. Retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
This outcome was assessed in seven studies, involving 662 treated patients
and 680 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the risk of retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia (typical
estimate RR 0.90, CI 0.75, 1.09; RD -0.02, CI -0.07, +0.02).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.32), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E and intake of iron, vitamin A and PUFA in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.32. Retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia among very
low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in five studies, involving 489 treated patients
and 486 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the risk of retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia (typical
estimate RR 0.88, CI 0.73, 1.07; RD -0.03, CI -0.09, +0.02).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron, vitamin A and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.33. Retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia among infants
examined/survivors
This outcome was assessed in eight studies, involving 821 treated patients
and 845 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinopathy
or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia (typical estimate RR 0.90, CI
0.78, 1.03; RD -0.03, CI -0.07, +0.01).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.34), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in any of the analyses.
01.34. Retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia among very
low birth weight infants examined/survivors
This outcome was assessed in seven studies, involving 540 treated patients
and 550 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinopathy
or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia (typical estimate RR 0.94, CI
0.82, 1.07; RD -0.03, CI -0.08, +0.03).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in any of the analyses.
01.35. Severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
(grade III or worse)
This outcome was assessed in six studies, involving a total of 767
treated patients and 798 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect
the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
in the treated group (typical estimate RR 0.72, CI 0.41, 1.25; RD -0.01,
CI -0.03, +0.01).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.36), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E significantly reduced the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in the subgroup of studies with serum tocopherol level vitamin E in the treatment group greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.35.10): typical estimate RR 0.39, CI 0.16, 1.00; RD -0.02, CI -0.04, 0.00.
01.36. Severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
(grade III or worse) among very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in six studies, involving a total of 482
treated patients and 492 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect
the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
in the treated group (typical estimate RR 0.59, CI 0.32, 1.08; RD -0.02,
CI -0.05, 0.00).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E significantly reduced the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia (1) in the subgroup with birth weight equal to or less than 1500 grams (01.36.02) typical estimate RR 0.40, CI 0.18, 0.87; RD -0.03, CI -0.05, -0.01 and (2) in the subgroup with serum level in the treatment group greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.36.12): typical estimate RR 0.34, CI 0.13, 0.87; RD -0.04, CI -0.07, 0.01.
01.37. Severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
among infants examined
This outcome was assessed in seven studies, involving a total of 783
treated patients and 804 controls. Vitamin E did not significantly affect
the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia,
typical estimate RR 0.67, CI 0.40, 1.12; RD -0.01, CI -0.03, 0.00.
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.38), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E significantly reduced the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in the subgroup with serum tocopherol level vitamin greater than 3.5 mg/dl in the treatment group (01.37.11): typical estimate RR 0.39, CI 0.15, 0.98; RD -0.02, CI -0.04, 0.00.
01.38. Severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia
among very low birth weight infants examined
This outcome was assessed in seven studies, involving a total of 525
treated patients and 537 controls. Vitamin E significantly reduced the
risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia, typical
estimate RR 0.58, CI 0.34, 1.00; RD -0.03, CI -0.05, 0.00.
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E significantly reduced the risk of retinopathy or prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in the following subgroups: (1) birth weight <= 1500 grams (01.38.02) (typical estimate RR 0.44, CI 0.22, 0.85; RD -0.03, CI -0.05, -0.01); (2) serum level in the treatment group greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.38.14) (typical estimate RR 0.34, CI 0.13, 0.88; RD -0.04, CI -0.07, -0.01); and (3) total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.38.18) (typical estimate RR 0.56, CI 0.31, 1.00; RD -0.03, CI -0.06, 0.00).
01.39. Retinal detachment among surviving infants
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total of 215
treated patients and 217 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the risk of retinal detachment, typical estimate RR 1.02, CI 0.06,
16.09; RD 0.00, CI -0.02, +0.02. However, the incidence of that complication
was too low to reach any conclusion: it developed in only one patient in
each group in a single study.
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.40), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinal detachment in any of the analyses.
01.40. Retinal detachment among surviving very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total of 160
patients in the treatment group and 161 in the control group. Vitamin E
did not significantly affect this outcome, typical estimate RR 1.02, CI
0.07, 15.84; RD 0.00, CI -0.02, +0.02. However, the incidence of that complication
was too low to reach any conclusion: it developed in only one patient in
each group in a single study.
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinal detachment in any of the analyses.
01.41. Cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia, any stage, among patients
examined after discharge
This outcome was assessed in five studies, involving 530 patients in
the treatment group and 522 in the control group. Vitamin E did not significantly
affected this outcome (typical estimate RR 0.82, CI 0.52, 1.27; RD -0.01,
CI -0.04, +0.02).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.42), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.42. Cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia, any stage, among very low
birth weight infants examined after discharge
This outcome was assessed in five studies, involving 436 patients in
the treatment group and 422 in the control group. Vitamin E did not significantly
affected this outcome (typical estimate RR 0.75, CI 0.48, 1.15; RD -0.02,
CI -0.06, +0.01).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.43. Blindness from retrolental fibroplasia among very low birth weight
infants examined
This outcome was assessed in four studies, involving 231 treated patients
and 236 controls. Vitamin E significantly decreased the risk of blindness,
typical estimate, RR 0.29, CI 0.10, 0.88; RD -0.04, CI -0.08, -0.01).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk of blindness (1) among four subgroups which involved all four studies: birth weight less or equal to 1500 grams (01.43.02), excluding intravenous vitamin E supplementation (01.43.08), onset of therapy within 48 hours of life (01.43.13) and duration of treatment greater than one week (01.43.14) (typical estimate identical to that for the main analysis), (2) in the subgroup with total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.43.15) (typical estimate RR 0.29, CI 0.10, 0.88; RD -0.05, CI -0.08, -0.01).
NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS
01.44. Necrotizing enterocolitis
This outcome was assessed in eight studies, involving a total of 711
treated patients and 732 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome (typical estimate RR 1.37, CI 0.96, 1.95; RD 0.02,
CI 0.00, +0.05).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.45), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis among patients whose controls received less than or equal to 10 mg vit E/100 cal (01.44.15) (typical estimate RR 1.49, CI 1.03, 2.16; RD 0.03, CI 0.00, 0.06).
01.45. Necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in six studies, involving a total of 475
treated patients and 487 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome (typical estimate RR 1.29, CI 0.90, 1.87; RD 0.03,
CI -0.01 +0.07).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.46. Necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight infants
treated with vitamin E for more than one week
This outcome was assessed in five studies, involving a total of 364
treated patients and 370 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome (typical estimate RR 1.51, CI 0.99, 2.30; RD 0.04,
CI 0.00 +0.09).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in the following subgroups: (1) birth weight less than or equal to 1500 grams (01.46.02): typical estimate RR 1.62, CI 1.04, 2.51; RD 0.05, CI 0.01, 0.10; and (2) serum tocopherol level in the treatment group greater than 3.5 mg/dl (01.46.12): typical estimate RR 1.60, CI 1.02, 2.52; RD 0.05, CI 0.00, 0.11.
01.47. Necrotizing enterocolitis among survivors
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving a total of 91 treated
patients and 95 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome (typical estimate RR 1.31, CI 0.31, 5.65, z = 0.37,
p = 0.7; RD 0.01, CI -0.05, +0.07, z = 0.34, p = 0.7).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.48), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.48. Necrotizing enterocolitis among surviving very low birth weight
infants
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving a total of 68
treated patients and 67 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome (estimate RR 1.31, CI 0.31, 5.65; RD 0.01, CI -0.06,
+0.09).
SERUM BILIRUBIN CONCENTRATION
01.49. Serum bilirubin concentration on day 3-5
This outcome was assessed in three studies, involving a total of 54
treated patients and 44 controls. Meta-analysis showed no significant effect
of vitamin E on this outcome (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.30, CI
-1.17, +0.57) but substantial heterogeneity (chi-square 9.90, p = 0.0071).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.50), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased serum bilirubin concentration in the subgroup with total vitamin E dose in the treatment group greater than 30 IU/kg/day (01.49.07) (mean difference [MD] -1.30, CI -2.60, 0.00).
01.50. Serum bilirubin concentration on day 3-5 in very low birth weight
infants
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving a total of 27 treated
patients and 21 controls. Meta-analysis showed a significant decrease in
serum bilirubin (WMD -1.46, CI -2.58, -0.33).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased serum bilirubin concentration in the following subgroups: (1) Enteral (01.50.02) and total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group greater than 30 IU/kg/day (01.50.06) (MD -1.30, CI -2.60, 0.00); (2) Excluding intravenous (01.50.04), serum level in the treatment group equal to or less than 3.5 mg/dl (01.50.07), onset of treatment within 48 hours of life (01.49.08), duration of treatment less than or equal to one week (01.50.09) and total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.49.10), which included all patients from all studies (WMD -1.46, CI -2.58, -0.33).
01.51. Serum bilirubin concentration on day 3-5 in a specific group
(no hemolysis, no polycythemia, no prior transfusion)
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 31 treated patients
and 31 controls. Vitamin E significantly increased serum bilirubin (MD
=1.30, CI 0.20, 2.40).
HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION
01.52. Hemoglobin concentration
Hemoglobin concentration was assessed in eight studies, involving 211
patients in the treatment group and 205 controls. Vitamin E supplementation
significantly increased hemoglobin concentration (WMD 0.46 g/dl, CI 0.24,
0.69).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see section 01.53), by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased hemoglobin concentration in the following subgroups: (1) infants with birth weight > 1000 grams (01.52.02) (WMD 0.49, CI 0.20, 0.77), (2) enteral vitamin E supplementation (01.52.03) (WMD 0.48, CI 0.25, 0.71), (3) excluding intravenous vitamin E supplementation (01.52.05) (involving all available studies; typical estimate identical to the summary statistics for this outcome), (4) vitamin E dose less than or equal to 30 IU/kg/day (01.52.06) (WMD 0.52, CI 0.29, 0.76), (5) serum tocopherol level in the treatment group less than or equal to 3.5 mg/dl (01.52.08) (WMD 0.47, CI 0.23, 0.71), (6) onset of treatment within 48 hours of life (01.52.09) (WMD 0.48, CI 0.21, 0.75), (7) onset of treatment after 48 hours of life (01.52.10) (WMD 0.44, CI 0.02, 0.85), (8) duration of treatment greater than one week (01.52.12) (WMD 0.54, CI 0.30, 0.77), (9) total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.52.13) (WMD 0.46, CI 0.24, 0.69), (10) iron supplementation in both groups (01.52.14) (WMD 0.57, CI 0.24, 0.91), and (11) iron supplementation in neither group (01.52.15) (WMD 0.47, CI 0.16, 0.78).
01.53. Hemoglobin concentration in very low birth weight infants
This outcome was analyzed in four studies, involving 102 treated infants
and 94 controls. Meta-analysis showed a significant increase in hemoglobin,
WMD 0.43 g/dl, CI 0.09, 0.77, with significant heterogeneity among studies
(chi-square 10.38, p =0.02).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased hemoglobin concentration in the following subgroups: (1) Enteral vitamin E supplementation (01.53.02), excluding intravenous supplementation (01.53.03), serum tocopherol level vitamin E in the treatment group lower than or equal to 3.5 mg/dl (01.53.06), total dose of vitamin E in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.53.11), all involving all subjects from all studies; (2) total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group less than or equal to 30 IU/kg/day (01.53.04) (WMD 0.53, CI 0.16, 0.90); (3) Onset of treatment in the treatment group within 48 hours of life (01.53.07) (WMD 0.42, CI 0.07, 0.78); (4) Duration of treatment greater than one week (01.53.10) (WMD 0.53, CI 0.17, 0.89); (5) Iron supplementation in both groups (01.53.12) (WMD 0.67, CI 0.23, 1.10); (6) Iron supplementation in neither group (01.53.13) (WMD 0.51, CI 0.17, 0.86).
RETICULOCYTE COUNT
01.54. Reticulocyte count (expressed in percent of total red blood cell
count)
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving 102 treated patients
and 99 controls. Meta-analysis showed that vitamin E supplementation significantly
reduced reticulocyte count (WMD -1.66, CI -2.24, -1.07) and substantial
heterogeneity among studies (chi-square 6.44, p = 0.011).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron and PUFA. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced reticulocyte count in the following subgroups: (1) subgroups involving all patients from both studies: enteral (01.54.02), excluding intravenous vitamin E supplementation (01.54.03), total dose of vitamin E in the treatment group equal to or less than 30 IU/kg/day (01.54.04), serum tocopherol level in the treatment group equal to or less than 3.5 mg/dl (01.54.05), onset of treatment within 48 hours of life (01.54.06), duration of treatment greater than one week (01.54.07), total dose of vitamin E in the control group less than or equal to 10 mg/100 kcal (01.54.08) (typical estimates identical to the summary statistics for this outcome); (2) iron supplementation in both groups (01.54.09) (MD -1.96, CI -2.89, -1.03); and (3) iron supplementation in neither group (01.54.10) (MD -1.47, CI -2.22, -0.72).
01.55. Reticulocyte count (expressed in percent of total red blood cell
count) in very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving 31 treated patients
and 33 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
reticulocyte counts (MD -0.30, CI -1.50, +0.90).
01.56. Absolute reticulocyte counts (expressed in million per liter)
This outcome was assessed in two studies, involving 32 treated patients
and 39 controls. Meta-analysis showed significant heterogeneity between
the two studies (chi-square analysis 13.03, p = 0.0003) and a significant
reduction in reticulocyte count in the treated group (WMD -34.0, CI -46.2,
-21.8, z = 5.48, p < 0.00001).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced reticulocyte count in the following subgroups, which involved all patients in both studies: enteral (01.56.02), excluding intravenous vitamin E supplementation (01.56.03), serum tocopherol level less than or equal to 3.5 mg/dl (01.56.05), onset of treatment after 48 hours of life (01.56.06), duration of treatment greater than one week (01.56.07), total dose of vitamin E intake in the control group equal to or less than 10 mg/100 kcal (01.56.08), and iron supplementation in both groups (01.56.09) (typical estimates identical to summary statistics for this outcome).
01.57. Absolute reticulocyte counts (expressed in million per liter)
in very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving 31 treated patients
and 33 controls. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced absolute
reticulocyte counts (MD -54.3, CI -70.7, -37.9).
BLOOD TRANSFUSION
01.58. Number of transfusions
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 15 treated patients
and 15 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the number of transfusions (MD -0.20, CI -1.17, +0.77).
01.59. Number of transfusions among survivors
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 68 treated patients
and 67 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the number of transfusions (MD +1.20, CI -1.42, +3.82).
01.60. Amount of blood transfused (ml per kg of body weight) among very
low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in two studies involving 223 treated patients
and 231 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the number of transfusions (WMD -0.5, CI -16.9, +15.9).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by
route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration
of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control
group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.61. Amount of blood transfused among survivors
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 68 treated patients
and 67 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the number of transfusions (MD +18.1, CI -17.1, +53.3).
OTHER OUTCOMES
01.62. Platelet count
Platelet counts were analyzed in two studies involving a total of 49
treated patients and 60 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect the platelet count (WMD -29.52, CI -88.81, +29.76).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight, by
route of administration, by total dose, serum level, onset and duration
of therapy in the treatment group, and by dose of vitamin E in the control
group and by intake of iron. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly
affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.63-65. Coagulation tests
The effects of vitamin E on coagulation tests were analyzed in one
study involving 23 treated patients and 24 controls (Zipursky
1987), which used low dose enteral administration Vitamin E administration
did not significantly affect any of the coagulation tests, including prothrombin
time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen concentration and other factors
not listed in this review.
01.66. Retinal hemorrhage among very low birth weight infants examined/survivors
This outcome was assessed in a single study, involving 111 treated
patients and 121 controls, which used high-dose, intravenous administration
of vitamin E. Vitamin E did not significantly affect the risk of retinal
hemorrhage in the whole study population (estimate RR 2.18, CI 0.97,4.89;
RD 0.08, 0.16). Subgroup analysis among extremely low birth weight infants
(n=85) showed that vitamin E significantly increased the risk of retinal
hemorrhage (estimate RR 3.58, CI 1.28,10.00; RD 0.24, CI 0.07, 0.41).
01.67. Reaction at the site of injection
This outcome was reported in two studies, involving 175 treated patients
and 182 controls. Meta-analysis showed no significant effect of vitamin
E on this outcome (typical estimate RR 4.13, CI 0.47, 36.69; RD 0.02, CI
-0.01, +0.04).
Subgroup analyses: data available for analysis by birth weight (see
section 01.67) and by route of administration, by total dose, serum level,
onset and duration of therapy in the treatment group. Vitamin E supplementation
did not significantly affect this outcome in any of the analyses.
01.68. Reaction at the site of injection in very low birth weight infants
This outcome was assessed in a single study involving 73 treated patients
and 74 controls. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect
the risk of reaction, estimate RR 5.07, CI 0.25, 103.78; RD 0.03, CI -0.02,
+0.074.
2. VITAMIN E VERSUS ANOTHER TYPE OR ROUTE OF VITAMIN E FORMULATION:
Only one study was found in this category. Bonati
1991 did not show any significant difference in mortality (02.01) and
did not assess the other planned primary outcomes (long-term combined outcomes).
This study did not show any significant difference in any of the analyzed
secondary outcomes, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (02.02), patent
ductus arteriosus (02.03), sepsis (02.04), intracranial hemorrhage (02.05),
parenchymal hemorrhage (02.06), necrotizing enterocolitis (02.07), or exchange
transfusion (02.08). Plasma levels of free tocopherol peaked on day three,
after three injections of vitamin E. In the treatment group, plasma levels
of tocopheryl acetate were one third of levels of free tocopherol. In the
control group receiving tocopherol in olive oil, plasma levels of free
tocopherol were within deficient range and significantly lower than those
receiving the colloidal solution of tocopheryl acetate.
1. Vitamin E versus placebo or no vitamin E
1.1. Primary outcomes:
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect mortality in
all patients and in very low birth weight infants; the strength of this
inference is strong, based on more than 1500 randomized patients and no
evidence of heterogeneity . No study assessed combined outcomes at 18 months
of age.
1.2. Secondary outcomes:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect these outcomes
(except for some subgroup analyses of patent ductus arteriosus requiring
treatment). The strength of theses inferences is strong, based on 500-900
randomized patients and no evidence of heterogeneity.
Patent ductus arteriosus:
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect patent ductus
arteriosus. The strength of this inference is strong, based on 500-900
randomized patients and no evidence of heterogeneity. However, there was
significant heterogeneity for patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment,
and some subgroup analyses reached statistical significance.
Sepsis:
Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk of sepsis
after study entry among all infants (typical estimate RR 1.52, CI 1.13,
2.04). The strength of this inference appears strong, based on a large
number of randomized patients (>1000) and no evidence of heterogeneity.
However, there is heterogeneity in RD. Vitamin E supplementation significantly
increased the risk of sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight
infants (typical estimate RR 1.53, CI 1.13, 2.08), and among very low birth
weight infants treated for more than one week (typical estimate RR 1.63,
CI 1.17, 2.26). The strength of this inference is strong, based on 500-900
randomized patients and no evidence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis
showed that this effect was associated with parenteral vitamin E supplementation,
intravenous supplementation, at dose greater than 30 IU/kg/day, starting
within 48 hours after life, with serum tocopherol levels greater than 3.5
mg/dl, and with vitamin E intake in the control group that was equal to
or lower than 10 mg/100 kcal. In contrast, vitamin E did not significantly
affect the risk of sepsis among surviving very low birth weight infants
(n=274).
Intracranial hemorrhage:
Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk for germinal
matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage among all infants (n=1755) (typical
estimate RR 0.85, CI 0.73, 0.99). The strength of this inference appears
strong, based on a large number of randomized patients and no evidence
of heterogeneity. However, there is heterogeneity in RD. Subgroup analyses
suggest that this heterogeneity may be related in large part to differences
in route of administration; specifically, subgroup analyses of intravenous
versus other routes of administration completely eliminated this heterogeneity.
Intravenous vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the
risk of hemorrhage (01.19.05), whereas administration by other than the
intravenous route (01.19.06) significantly reduced that risk (typical estimate
RR 0.71, CI 0.58, 0.87; RD -0.14, CI -0.22, -0.06).
Among very low birth weight infants, vitamin E supplementation did
not significantly affect the risk for germinal matrix/intraventricular
hemorrhage; although the strength of this inference appears strong, based
on a large number (n=777) of randomized patients and no statistical evidence
of heterogeneity, a word of caution is required. Subgroup analysis excluding
high-dose intravenous vitamin E only counted a single study (Fish
1990) involving only 147 patients and yielding an estimate RR of 0.70,
CI 0.46,1.04, which is in the same range as that cited above in this paragraph
for all premature infants.
The effect of vitamin E supplementation on severe intraventricular hemorrhage or on parenchymal hemorrhage was heterogeneous. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage or parenchymal hemorrhage among all infants or among very low birth weight infants. In extremely low birth weight infants vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the risk for severe hemorrhage (n=232) in studies analyzing the data on intention to treat basis, but significantly reduced the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in survivors (n=133). This discrepancy resulted from the fact that vitamin E reduced the risk of severe hemorrhage only in survivors in Fish 1990. The effects of vitamin E on parenchymal hemorrhage could have resulted from several differences in design between two studies: intravenous high-dose, prolonged administration of vitamin E including in extremely low birth weight infants was associated with an increased risk in one study, whereas intramuscular, low-dose, short administration was associated with a reduced risk in another study.
Retinopathy of prematurity
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the risk of
retinopathy of prematurity (all grades) among all infants (typical estimate
RR close to 1 in all analyses). The strength of this inference is strong,
based on more than 1300 randomized patients and no evidence of heterogeneity.
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity among all infants (typical estimate RR 0.72, CI 0.41,1.25) and among very low birth weight infants (typical estimate RR 0.59, CI 0.32,1.08) in an intention to treat analysis. The strength of this inference appears strong, based on more than 1300 randomized patients and no statistical evidence of heterogeneity. Nevertheless, the RR is not close to 1 in either of these analyses. Among examined very low birth weight infants, vitamin E significantly reduced the risk for severe retinopathy of prematurity (n=1062) (typical estimate RR 0.58, CI 0.34, 1.00) and the risk for blindness (typical estimate RR 0.19, CI 0.10, 0.88, n=467) but not retinal detachment (too rare to reach any solid conclusion) nor the risk for reaching a final cicatricial stage. The reduction in risk for severe retinopathy was observed with serum levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl (typical estimate RR 0.34, CI 0.13, 0.88 for all infants and 0.34, CI 0.13,0.87 for very low birth weight infants), but not with lower levels (typical estimates RR 0.83, CI 0.42, 1.61 and 1.01, CI 0.44,2.32, respectively). Reduced risk of blindness was observed in very low-birth weight infants receiving vitamin E starting within 48 hours of life and for more than a week.
Our results on retinopathy of prematurity are similar although not identical to those of a recent systematic review (Raju 1997) which analyzed retinopathy of prematurity after reclassifying individual outcomes according to the International Classification for Retinopathy of Prematurity. The odds ratio for retinopathy of prematurity among very low birth weight infants using an intention-to-treat analysis was 0.85 (CI 0.65, 1.11) in Raju 1997, compared with 0.83 (CI 0.62, 1.11) in our study. The odds ratio using an intention-to-treat analysis was 0.44 (CI 0.21, 0.87) for severe retinopathy (ROP 3+) in Raju 1997, compared with 0.57 (CI 0.30, 1.09) for ROP >=3 in our study; analysis among patients examined reached significance in Raju 1997 as well as in our analysis.
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly affect the risk of
necrotizing enterocolitis among all infants and among very low birth weight
infants (typical estimate RR 1.37, CI 0.93, 1.95). The strength of this
inference appears strong, based on more than 1340 randomized patients and
no statistical evidence of heterogeneity. Nevertheless, the typical estimate
RR is not close to 1 and RR in individual studies varies between 0.51 and
6.88.
Among 734 very low birth weight infants treated for more than one week, the typical estimate RR was 1.51 (CI 0.99, 2.30), reaching significance in infants with birth weight less than 1500 grams and in those with serum tocopherol levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl. The strength of this inference is limited by lack of intention-to-treat analysis and by heavy weighing of the results towards a single study using high-dose intravenous vitamin E administration (Johnson 1989).
Hematologic outcomes:
Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased hemoglobin by a small
amount (0.4 g/dl) in more than 400 patients and without evidence of heterogeneity,
and significantly reduced reticulocyte count. Nevertheless, it did not
affect the need for transfusion. In very low birth weight infants, vitamin
E significantly reduced serum bilirubin by 1.5 mg/dl.
Low-dose, enteral administration of vitamin E did not significantly
affect platelet counts or coagulation tests.
High-dose intravenous administration of vitamin E significantly increased
the risk of retinal hemorrhage among 85 extremely low birth weight infants
in a single study (Phelps 1987a) but not
among the whole set of 232 very low birth weight infants. This is the same
study in which vitamin E significantly increased the risk of parenchymal
intracranial hemorrhage (01.28). Rosenbaum had found a statistical association
between severe intraventricular hemorrhage and later retinal hemorrhage
(p<0.007, Fisher's exact test (Phelps 1987a).
Mean peak tocopherol levels were 5.07+/-3.41 mg/dl in patients with retinal
hemorrhage versus 3.49+/-3.22 mg/dl in those without retinal hemorrhage
(p = 0.025).
Summary:
Summary statistics using intention-to-treat analyses showed that routine
vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the risk of germinal/intraventricular
hemorrhage (RR 0.85, CI 0.73, 0.99) and increased the risk of sepsis after
study entry (RR 1.52, CI 1.13, 2.04) but did not significantly affect mortality,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, severe intraventricular
hemorrhage, parenchymal hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, platelet
count, or coagulation studies. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly
increased by a small amount (WMD 0.46, CI 0.24, 0.69). In very low birth
weight infants, vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the risk
for sepsis after study entry (RR 1.53, CI 1.13, 2.08) and, although with
significant heterogeneity, the risk for parenchymal hemorrhage (RR 9.21,
CI 1.22, 69.58); among those with known outcomes vitamin E significantly
reduced the risk for severe retinopathy (RR 0.58, CI 0.34, 1.00) and blindness
(RR 0.29, CI 0.10, 0.88).
Subgroup analyses showed that (1) serum tocopherol levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl in very low birth weight infants were associated with a significantly increased risk of sepsis after study entry (RR 1.72, CI 1.24, 2.40) , with increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis among those treated for more than one week (RR 1.60, CI 1.02, 2.52) and with reduced risk for severe retinopathy among those examined (RR 0.34, CI 0.13, 0.88); and (2) intravenous, high-dose administration of vitamin E in very low birth weight infants was associated with a significantly increased risk of sepsis after study entry (RR 1.56, CI 1.07, 2.27), with increased risk of parenchymal hemorrhage in one study only and with increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis among those treated for more than one week in another study.
2. Colloidal vitamin E versus vitamin E in olive oil
Colloidal vitamin E resulted in higher serum levels, but did not significantly
affect any of the analyzed outcomes.
B. DISCUSSION:
In this systematic review, a large number of subgroup analyses was
undertaken. This must lead to caution in inferring the likely effects of
treatment when estimated in multiple subgroups.
Although this systematic review shows that high-dose intravenous vitamin E has toxic effects, these data should not be taken as evidence that intravenous vitamin E at any dose is toxic. Based on all the available evidence from this systematic review and from data presented in the background, the dose recommended by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition (2.8-3.5 IU/kg/day) (Greene 1988) for extremely low birth weight infants should remain the current standard of care for those fed parenterally.
The majority of the clinical trials available in this systematic review were conducted in the 1980s or earlier, so that too few surviving extremely preterm infants were available to permit subgroup analysis of this most vulnerable population. Thus, recommendations based on the available subjects must be viewed with caution when applied to the group of preterm infants inhabiting the modern neonatal unit. The current population includes many infants who are more premature and smaller than the infants on whom the recommendations were based. Furthermore, the only major long-term benefit of vitamin E supplementation demonstrated in this review was the prevention of blindness in very low birth weight infants, the incidence of which has been substantially reduced with laser photo coagulation.
Because the majority of clinical trials available for this review analyzed infants who currently are not the ones at high risk for threshold retinopathy of prematurity, and because severe retinopathy is relatively frequent in extremely low birth weight infants, it would appear justified to initiate a multicenter randomized trial assessing the effects in this population of supplementation with vitamin E (excluding high-dose intravenous administration) begun within 48 hours of birth and given for more than one week. Only three studies provided extremely low birth weight infants meeting these criteria and available for analysis in this systematic review: Ehrenkranz 1982; Fish 1990; Hittner 1981, in which mean serum tocopherol levels in the treatment group were, respectively, 3.89, 4.24 and 1.21 mg/dl. In the latter study, serum levels in control patients were compatible with vitamin E deficiency. Thus, only the first two studies should be used as baseline. The numbers of patients available to our analysis were 147 for mortality (01.02.03), sepsis (01.16.03), germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (01.20.03), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III/IV) (01.25.02) and necrotizing enterocolitis (01.45.03), nine for retinopathy of prematurity among patients examined (01.34.03) and for severe retinopathy (grade 3 or more) (01.36.03) and blindness (01.43.03), and none for retinopathy of prematurity (any grade) (01.32.03), parenchymal hemorrhage (grade IV)~ (01.28), retinal detachment among survivors (01.40.03) and retinal bleeding (01.66.02). Among patients examined, the typical estimate RR was 1.67 for sepsis (01.16.03), 0.70 for germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (01.20.03), 0.59 for severe intraventricular hemorrhage (01.25.02), 0.27 for retinopathy of prematurity among patients examined (01.34), 0.12 for severe retinopathy of prematurity (01.38.03), not estimable for blindness (01.43.03), and 0.51 for necrotizing enterocolitis (01.45.03). Thus, preliminary analysis suggests that potential benefits might include a reduction of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and retinopathy and potential toxicity might include sepsis.
| Study | Methods | Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Notes | Allocation concealment |
| Bonati 1991 | Design: multi-center randomized trial. Method of randomization: random
allocation of the first baby; alternating medication in subsequent infants.
Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no; data reported on the 44 infants who completed the 3-day schedule of vitamin E. Blinding of outcome: no. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 50. Data reported in 22 patients in each group. Entry criteria: liveborn, gestational age equal or less than 32 weeks, no malformations, born in participating centers over 3 months, admitted to a neonatal intensive care within 2 hours of birth | Treatment: 20 mg/kg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate given intramuscularly as aqueous colloidal solution (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Control: 20 mg/kg vitamin E given intramuscularly as alpha-tocopherol in an olive solution (Evion Forte, Bracco, Milano) on three consecutive days, starting within 8 hours of life. | Mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, phototherapy, exchange transfusion | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group: 3.60±1.12 mg/dl; control group: 0.31±0.20 mg/dl | B |
| Chiswick 1982 | Design: Randomized trial. Method of randomization: not described.
Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 35. Treatment group: 14; control group: 21. Entry criteria: preterm infants without major congenital malformations | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche) 20 mg/kg given intramuscularly daily for 4 doses commencing within 24 hours after birth. Control: no injection | Mortality, intraventricular hemorrhage | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 4.84±2.37 mg/dl; control group 0.58±0.29 mg/dl | B |
| Chiswick 1983 | Design: Randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided.
Blinding of intervention: not mentioned. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: not mentioned. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 44. Treatment group: n=21, control group: n=23. Entry criteria: gestational age less than 37 weeks and birth weight less than 1751 g. | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche) 20 mg/kg given intramuscularly at 12, 36 and 60 hours of life. Control: no injection | Mortality, germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 3.69±1.41 mg/dl; control group 0.42±0.38 mg/dl | B |
| Cruz 1983 | Design: Randomized trial (groups I and II). Method of randomization:
not provided.
Blinding of intervention: no, Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 53 mothers and 55 infants. Groups I and II: 27 and 28, respectively (randomized); group III: 40 (not randomized). Entry criteria: (1) mothers admitted with threatened premature delivery at 26-34 weeks of gestation, (2) infant's birth weight less than 2,300 g | Group I: mother given vitamin E orally 900 mg for three days, followed by 100 mg daily until delivery. Infant given intramuscular vitamin E 25 mg/kg on days 1,2,4 and 8. Group II: mother given vitamin E orally as in group I, infant given no vitamin E injection. Group III (not randomized): neither mother nor infant received vitamin E supplementation. | Retrolental fibroplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia | Oral multivitamin drops started on day five of life, this provided
two mg of vitamin E daily.
Plasma tocopherol level on day 9: treatment group 4.14±1.08 mg/dl, control group 0.91±0.46 mg/dl |
B |
| Ehrenkranz 1982 | Design: randomized double-blind trial.
Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: yes, except for intraventricular hemorrhage. Blinding of outcome: yes. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 100. Treatment group: 47, control group: 53. Entry criteria: respiratory distress syndrome, informed consent. | Treatment: 20 mg/kg vitamin E Injectable (Hoffmann-LaRoche) intramuscularly upon admission to the study (first day of life) and 24, 48, and 168 hours later, and then twice weekly as long as the infant remained in oxygen and could not tolerate feedings and vitamin supplements. Control: placebo. | Mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, patent ductus arteriosus requiring therapy, intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia | All infants received initially an intravenous protein solution containing
vitamin E 2.5 U/L. Enteral feeding provided 16 U/L (formula) or 3 U/L (human
milk). Patients tolerating feeds regularly were given oral vitamin E supplementation
(Aquasol E, USV Pharmaceutical Corp.) at a dose of 50 IU/day if weight
was < 1000 g and 25 IU/day if weight was > 1000 g.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 3.89±1.31 mg/dl, control group 0.78±0.37 mg/dl |
A |
| Ferlin 1998 | Design: randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided.
Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: unclear (by design, only patients with regular follow-up visits were included). Blinding of outcome: yes. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 40. Group I: 10, II: 10; III: 10; IV: 10. Entry criteria: birth weight less than or equal to 1600 g and gestational age less than or equal to 35 weeks, informed consent, stable clinical course, no blood transfusion, regular follow-up visits after discharge, absence of interfering events that would require discontinuation of medications. | Four groups: I: placebo started on the 15th day of life, iron starting at 2 months of age; II: 4 mg/kg/day iron started on the 15th day of life; III: 4 mg/kg/day iron and 25 IU/day alpha-tocopherol (Roche) orally started on the 15th day of life; IV: 25 IU/day vitamin E started on the 15th day of life. | Hemoglobin | All infants received 1.5 IU vitamin E/day and 0.1 mg iron (in multivitamin preparation) starting on the 7th day of life. Iron supplementation started at 2 months of age in patients who not yet supplemented. | B |
| Finer 1982 | Design: randomized trial.
Method of randomization: sealed envelopes, stratification by birth weight and by severity of respiratory distress (requirement for oxygen and endotracheal intubation). Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no. Most data are available only for the 99 infants who completed the trial. Blinding of outcome: yes. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 126. Treatment group: 62, control group: 64. Entry criteria: birth weight between 750 and 1500 g, appropriate for gestational age, informed consent. | Treatment: 25 mg vitamin E, two doses, administered intramuscularly respectively within 12 hours of birth and 12 hours afterwards; then 20 mg intramuscularly daily for 14 days, then 20 mg intramuscularly every 3 days for 5 doses; then either 100 U daily orally or (if feeds not tolerated) 20 mg intramuscularly every 3 days. Control: no vitamin E. | Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, retrolental fibroplasia among infants survived/examined, blindness from retrolental fibroplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis | Osmolality of the oral preparation, used as a 1:1 dilution: 2,025 mOsm/kg.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 4.21±3.35 mg/dl, control group 0.71±0.67 mg/dl. Outcome variables available among infants surviving/examined: retrolental fibroplasia, blindness from retrolental fibroplasia |
A |
| Fischer 1987 | Design: randomized double-blind trial.
Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: yes. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 28. Treatment group: 17, control group: 11. Entry criteria: birth weight less than 1,500 g, normal size for gestational age, informed consent . entered during the first 24 hours of life | Treatment: oral administration of d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol-1000-succinate, 50 mg/day for three doses. Control: placebo. | Bilirubin, hemoglobin | Several infants randomized to treatment group received only 25 mg/day.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.85±0.76 mg/dl, control group 0.76±0.49 mg/dl |
A |
| Fish 1990 | Design: randomized double-blind trial.
Method of randomization: by the pharmacy, stratified by birth weight. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no: two infants were excluded because of initially inapparent structural anomalies. Blinding of outcome: yes. |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 149, of which two were excluded after entry. Treatment group: 73, control group: 74. Entry criteria: birth weight equal to or less than 1000 g, postnatal age equal to or less than 24 hours, informed consent. Exclusion criteria: extremely poor condition on admission, major congenital abnormalities. | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopherol (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche) intramuscularly in four doses at 15,10,10 and 10 mg/kg on days 1,2,4, and 6 of life, respectively. Doses of dl-alpha-tocopherol 10 mg/kg were administered intramuscularly every 3 days if the attending neonatologist felt that the infant could not tolerate oral vitamin E (see Notes) after 7 days of life. Control: placebo. | Mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, local reaction at injection site | Plasma tocopherol levels were not blinded to the clinicians. All neonates
received oral dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Aquasol E) 100 mg/kg/day beginning
at admission; dose adjusted after day 7 to maintain total vitamin E serum
level 0.5-3.5 mg/dl.
Plasma tocopherol level during first week: treatment group 4.24±1.59 mg/dl, control 1.95±1.04 mg/dl; after first week: treatment group 2.70±0.09 mg/dl, control group 2.39±0.09 mg/dl |
A |
| Graeber 1977 | Design: randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 35. Groups I: 5, II: 5, III: 5, IV: 5, V: 5, VI: 10. Entry criteria: birth weight less than 1,500 g, gestational age less than 34 weeks. Exclusion criteria: ABO or Rh isoimmunization, hemoglobin value less than 13 g/dl at seven days of age, transfusion of whole blood or plasma at any age, transfusion of red blood cells after one week of age. | Treatment: (1) intramuscular dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in a water-dispersible
vehicle (Roche) with total dose divided in four aliquots (days 1,2,7 and
8); (2) Intramuscular iron: iron-dextran complex (Imferon): 25 mg/day on
days 7,14,21, and 28; control: no injection. Control: no injection.
Six groups (by dose of vitamin E and dose of iron) in the original trial: Group I: total dose of vitamin E: 100 mg/kg, no iron; group II: vitamin E 125 mg/kg, no iron; group III: vitamin E 150 mg/kg, no iron; group IV: vitamin E 125 mg/kg and iron 100 mg; group V: no vitamin E, iron 100 mg; group VI: neither vitamin E, nor iron. |
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retrolental fibroplasia | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.78±0.60 mg/dl, control group 0.53±0.34 mg/dl | B |
| Gross 1977 | Design: randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 20. Treatment group: 10, control group: 10. Entry criteria: birth weight less than 2,500 g, gestational age less than 36 weeks, well, breathing room air, hemoglobin concentration greater than 13 g/dl on the third day of life. Exclusion criterion: Rh or ABO isoimmunization. | Treatment: total dose of 125 mg/kg tocopheryl acetate (Roche) administered intramuscularly in 8 divided doses, an injection in each thigh, on days 4,5,6 and 7 of life. Control: no injection. | Hemoglobin | B | |
| Gross 1979 | Design: randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Randomization stratified by weight (1000-1500 g and 1501-2000 g). Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 40; treatment group: 20, control group: 20. Entry criteria: birth weight between 1000 and 2000 g, appropriate for gestational age. Exclusion criteria: hemoglobin concentration less than 13 g/dl, Rh or ABO isoimmunization. | Treatment: total dose of 50 mg/kg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Roche) administered intramuscularly in 6 divided doses, an injection in each thigh on days 1,2, and 3 of life. Control: no injection. | Serum bilirubin | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 3.00±1.00 mg/dl, control group 0.50±0.30 mg/dl | B |
| Hittner 1981 | Design: randomized double-blind trial. Method of randomization: random-number table. Randomization stratified by weight. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: no: information on 49 patients is incomplete. Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 150. One patient with necrotizing enterocolitis was excluded (no information on treatment allocation). Treatment group: 75, control group: 74. Entry criteria: birth weight less than or equal to 1,500 g, requiring oxygen for respiratory distress, admitted to the unit within the first 24 hours of life, informed consent. Exclusion criteria: necrotizing enterocolitis preventing oral administration of vitamin E (n=1); exclusion from all other outcomes: death before four weeks (n=48). | Treatment: dl alpha-tocopherol 100 mg/kg/day orally, provided as water-dispersible liquid containing dl alpha-tocopherol 50 mg/ml in propylene glycol-polysorbate 80. Control (placebo): dl alpha-tocopherol 5 mg/kg/day orally, provided as 2.5 mg/ml in propylene glycol-polysorbate 80. Treatment and placebo were started on the first 24 hours of life and continued throughout the hospital stay. | Mortality. Outcomes among patients surviving four weeks: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular- intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia | Osmolality of the oral preparation: 3000 mOsm/kg.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.21±0.79 mg/dl, control group 0.62±0.40 mg/dl. Outcome variables available only among patients surviving at least four weeks and without necrotizing enterocolitis: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage and retrolental fibroplasia. |
A |
| Hittner 1984 | Design: double-masked randomized trial. Method of randomization: random-number table. Randomization stratified by weight. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: no: information incomplete in 33 infants not surviving ten weeks (primary reference) or in 34 outpatients (secondary reference). Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 168. Treatment group: 79, control group: 89. Entry criteria: birth weight equal to or less than 1,500 g, oxygen requirement for respiratory distress, admission within 24 hours, informed consent. Exclusion criteria from all other outcomes: death before 10 weeks ( n=33). | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopherol, 55 mg/ml (Ephynal, Hoffman-La Roche, preparation containing benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, Emulphor E1-620, and buffering salts), given intramuscularly at doses of 15, 10, 10, and 10 mg/kg on days 1,2,4 and 6 of life. Control: placebo injections. | Mortality. Outcomes available either among patients surviving ten weeks or among inpatients: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, number of transfusions and amount of blood transfused | Vitamin E 100 mg/kg/day given orally to all infants starting within
the first 24 hours of life. This was provided as an emulsion of dl-alpha-tocopheryl
acetate in gelatin, silicon dioxide, polysorbate 80, and medium chain triglycerides,
osmolality 150 mOsm/kg.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 3.29±1.58 mg/dl, control group 1.42±1.12 mg/dl. Outcome variables available among those surviving ten weeks: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, number of transfusions and amount of blood transfused |
A |
| Jansson 1978 | Design: randomized trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Randomization stratified by weight (1000-1999 and 2000-2499 g). Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 57. Group I: 24, group II: 17, group III: 16. Entry criteria: birth weight less than 2500 g. Exclusion criteria: hemoglobin concentration below 15 g/dl or greater than 26 g/dl in the first 24 hours, hyperbilirubinemia, blood transfusion. | Group I (control): ferrous succinate starting at 3 weeks of age (elemental iron 2-3 mg/kg/day); group II: dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (E-vitamin, AB ACO, dispersible in lipid solutions) 15 mg/day started at 10 days and ferrous succinate started at 3 weeks; group III: tocopheryl acetate 15 mg/day started at 10 days and ferrous succinate started at 10 weeks. | Hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, platelet count | From 10 days of age, all infants received 1.5 mg/day of tocopheryl
acetate orally.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.22±0.20 mg/dl, control group 0.80±0.28 mg/dl |
B |
| Johnson 1989 | Design: randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Randomization stratified by hospital and by birth weight. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: no; complete data available in only 755 of 914 enrolled. Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 914. Treatment group: 454, control group: 460. Entry criteria: (1) birth weight equal to or less than 2000 g or (2) gestational age equal to or less than 36 weeks and oxygen treatment required; informed consent, admission within 5 days of age. Sixty-eight percent of the infants were enrolled by calendar age one day. | Treatment: (1) infants receiving intravenous feeding: 15 mg/kg vitamin E intramuscularly and 15 mg/kg intravenously at study admission, followed by 15 mg/kg intravenously the next day; (2) infants receiving oral feedings: 15 mg/kg vitamin E intramuscularly and 100 mg/kg/day divided in aliquots in the feeds. Subsequent dosage adjusted to maintain serum vitamin E level of 5 mg/dl. Control: placebo both for oral and parenteral preparations, with dosage adjustments to mimic those in the control group. Study medication was replaced by vitamin E in patients who had developed severe ROP. | Retinopathy of prematurity and serum bilirubin. Among infants with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g: mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (diagnosed radiographically), sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis | Vitamin E was provided as free dl-alpha-tocopherol 50 mg/ml (55 IU/ml)
emulsified for parenteral administration with Emulfor 620. This is one
of the two studies in which vitamin E was administered intravenously.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 5.10±1.90 mg/dl, control group 0.82±0.36 mg/dl. Examination for the presence of retinopathy of prematurity was done in 755 patients. Outcome variables available among the 545 infants with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g: mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (diagnosed radiographically), patent ductus arteriosus, patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment, sepsis after study entry, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Outcome variables available in subsets of the population included sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants treated for more than one week, bilirubin (excluding hemolytic anemia, polycythemia, and prior transfusion, and amount of blood transfusion (subset of very low birth weight infants). |
A |
| Melhorn 1971 | Design: randomized controlled trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Randomization stratified by weight and gestational age. Complete follow-up: no: data are provided on only 186 patients. Blinding of outcome: no | Total number of patients entered into the study: 234, including some full-term infants. Group I: 45, II: 47, III: 44, IV: 50. Entry criteria: admission to the premature nursery unit. Exclusion criteria: either small or large for gestational age, hemoglobin concentration < 14 g/dl in the first 24 hours of life, blood group incompatibility, hemoglobinopathy, red blood cell enzyme deficiency, infection, defects requiring surgical intervention. | Group I: no supplement (control). Group II: vitamin E: alpha tocopheryl acetate 25 units/day orally from the eighth to the forty-second day of life. Group III: iron from the fifteenth to forty-second day of life: 10 mg/day if weight < 1500 g, 15 mg/day if weight 1501-2000 g, 20 mg/day if weight > 2001 g. Group IV: iron and vitamin E. | Hemoglobin, reticulocyte count | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 0.5-1.0 mg/dl, control group 0.2-0.8 mg/dl | B |
| Pathak 2003 | Design: randomized double-blind trial. Method of randomization: sealed
envelopes in the pharmacy. Blinding of the intervention: no. Complete follow-up:
yes.
Blinding of outcome: yes |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 30. Treatment group: 15, control group: 15. Entry criteria: gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks, birth weight less than or equal to 1250 grams, clinically stable (less than 7.5 ml/week phlebotomy, oxygen requirement less than or equal to 35%, intermittent mandatory ventilation less than or equal to 25 breaths per minute, mean airway pressure less than or equal to 8 cm of water). Exclusion criteria: disease involving any major organ system, life-threatening congenital malformations or sepsis, isoimmunization with clinically apparent hemolytic anemia, hemolytic disorder, intraventricular hemorrhage grade III or greater. | Treatment: vitamin E 50 IU/day enterally. Controls: placebo | Mortality, patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count, transfusions, total volume transfused | All infants received erythropoietin 100 units/kg/day five days a week for eight weeks or until discharge, whichever came first. Infants fed intravenously received a multivitamin preparation (MVI Pediatric) containing 1.4 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate/ml at dose of 1.5 ml/day and 3.25 ml/day to infants weighing < 1 kg and > 1 kg, respectively. All infants fed enterally at least 40 ml/kg/day received oral iron 6 mg/kg/day and 1 ml of a multivitamin preparation containing 5 U/ml vitamin E. Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 2.86±1.26 mg/dl, control group 1.66±1.25 mg/dl | A |
| Phelps 1987a | Design: randomized double-blind trial. Method of randomization: sealed envelopes stratified by study center, sex, and birth weight, opened at the pharmacy (center 1) or drug control center (center 2). Numbers balanced by groups of eight. Multiple births randomized separately so that one of each pair received placebo and one tocopherol. Blinding of intervention: yes. Follow-up was complete for several neonatal outcomes. However retinal examinations were not obtained in 55 infants, including nine infants lost to follow-up and 46 who had died. Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 287. Treatment group: 140, control group: 147. Entry criteria included birth weight less than 1.5 kg or gestational age less than 33 weeks, less than 24 hours of age, free from recognized congenital anomalies of the eyes or congenital anomalies incompatible with survival, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included major congenital anomalies and Rhesus hemolytic disease. | Treatment: intravenous dose provided within 24 hours of birth and repeated on day 2 (and sometimes day 3): 20 mg/kg of nonesterified dl-alpha-tocopherol in alcohol or its vehicle (10% ethyl alcohol, 10% propylene glycol, 10% Emulphor, 1% benzyl alcohol, and buffering salts). Doses adjusted to achieve plasma vitamin E levels of 3-3.5 mg/dl: supplemental intramuscular injection given to infants with plasma levels lower than 2.5 mg/dl despite oral doses exceeding 200 mg/kg/day. Control: placebo. | Mortality, sepsis, late-onset sepsis, periventricular-intraventricular
hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis.
Among survivors: retinopathy of prematurity, retinal hemorrhage |
All infants fed intravenously received 1.2 mg/kg/day of tocopherol
acetate in standard multivitamin supplements.
In infants in whim severe ROP had developed, the study medication was replaced with vitamin E. Median plasma tocopherol level in the treatment group: 3-3.5 mg/dl (1-2 weeks of age); 2-2.5 mg/dl (3 weeks - second month). Outcome variable available among surviving infants: retinopathy of prematurity. |
A |
| Rudolph 1989 | Design: randomized controlled trial. Method of randomization: not provided.
Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: yes.
Blinding of outcome: yes (cardiologist). |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 29. Treatment group: 13, control group: 16. Entry criteria: preterm infant, birth weight 750-1500 g, intensive care. | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) intramuscularly at a dose of 25 mg/kg within 12 hours of birth. Repeated injections 24 hours later, and at 4, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days of age. Total cumulative dose: 175 mg/kg. Control: no vitamin E supplementation. | Mortality, patent ductus arteriosus, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis | All infants fed intravenously received 2.5 IU vitamin E per liter of
parenteral solution.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.62±0.91 mg/dl, control group 0.41±0.21 |
B |
| Rönnholm 1989 | Design: randomized controlled trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no; incomplete information on three patients who died. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 54. Treatment group: 23; control group: 31. Entry criteria: birth weight less than or equal to 1520 g. | Treatment: intramuscular dU-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate 20 mg/kg/day (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche) during the first three days of life. Controls: No injection. | Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis | Patients were randomly supplemented with human milk protein, medium-chain
triglycerides, both or neither. All patients received oral administration
of water soluble vitamin E dl-alpha-tocopherol polyethyleneglycol 1000-succinate
(part of a multivitamin preparation, Ekavitol, Orion Corp Ltd) in increasing
doses of 1.6 mg/day on day 3 to 10 mg/day at age 2-12 weeks.
Plasma tocopherol level in the treatment group: 1.50±0.21 mg/dl. Outcome variables among the 51 survivors: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, retrolental fibroplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. |
B |
| Saldanha 1982 | Design: randomized controlled trial. Method of randomization: drawing of a card from a randomized deck. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no; incomplete data provided on babies who died before 10 days of age. Blinding of outcome: no. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 44. Treatment group: 21, control group: 23. Entry criteria: gestational age less than 37 weeks, hyaline membrane disease, oxygen requirement at least 60% in first 24 hours or 80% thereafter, informed consent. Exclusion criteria: cyanotic heart disease, multiple malformations, known infectious disease. | Treatment: 25 mg of dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) intramuscularly upon entry into the study and daily thereafter until vitamin E serum level rose above 2-4 mgl/dl or until no longer oxygen requirement. Mean age at entry into the study 24±5 hours. Control: no injection. Mean age at entry into the study 18±3 hours | Outcomes among patients surviving ten days or more: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 3.87±3.94 mg/dl, control
group 0.94±1.06 mg/dl.
Outcome variables among patients surviving ten days or more included: bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus |
A |
| Schiller 1980 | Design: randomized controlled trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: unclear. Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 29. Treatment group:
16, control group: 13.
Entry criteria: preterm infant, birth weight < 1750 g. |
Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopherol intramuscularly (175 mg/kg over a 30-day period). Control: no injection. | Patent ductus arteriosus | Abstract only.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 1.70±1.22 mg/dl, control group 0.50±0.57 mg/dl |
B |
| Sinha 1987 | Design: Randomized trial. Method of randomization: sealed envelope.
Blinding of intervention: no. Complete follow-up: no; three infants with lethal major malformations were excluded and only partial information is provided in eighteen patients with periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage at entry. Blinding of outcome: unclear |
Total number of patients entered into the study: 231. No data are provided among three infants with lethal congenital malformations. Among the 228 with information provided, 115 were in the treatment group and 113 in the control group. Entry criteria: Gestational age equal or less than 32 weeks, admitted from January 1984 to September 1985. Exclusion criteria: none described before randomization. | Treatment: alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal) 20 mg/kg given intramuscularly daily for three doses commencing within two hours after randomization (first day of life). Controls: no injection | Mortality, periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, worsening of the intracranial hemorrhage, inflammation at site of injection | Mothers of some infants were part of another randomized trial. They
were allocated either to vitamin E 400 mg every 4-6 hours or to placebo
capsules during preterm labor.
Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 2.99±1.00 mg/dl, control group 0.42±0.14 mg/dl. Outcome variables are available only after eliminating patients with lethal malformations. Outcome variable available only in the 210 patients with negative initial scan: complete information about the grade of the intracranial hemorrhage |
A |
| Smith 1985 | Design: Randomized double-blind trial. Method of randomization: not provided. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: yes. Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 30. Treatment group: 17, control group: 13. Entry criteria: gestational age 30-36 weeks, birth weight 970-2610 g, healthy, lack of pulmonary disease or oxygen requirement, no ABO or Rh isoimmunization, no other sources of bilirubin production, such as hematoma or bruising. Exclusion criteria: infection. | Treatment: dl-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol-succinate (Mead Johnson) 50 mg/day orally once a day for 3 consecutive days, starting before 24 hours of life. Control: placebo. | Bilirubin, hemoglobin | Plasma tocopherol level: treatment group 2.11±0.79 mg/dl, control group 1.71±1.40 mg/dl | B |
| Zipursky 1987 | Design: Randomized double-blind trial. Method of randomization: computer-generated randomization in the pharmacy, stratified by severity of illness. Blinding of intervention: yes. Complete follow-up: no: chronic lung disease information in 266; eye examination in 225 infants; hematologic data in 90 treated patients and 88 controls . Blinding of outcome: yes. | Total number of patients entered into the study: 269. Treatment group: 135, control group: 134. Entry criteria: birth weight < 1500 g, expected survival greater than 48 hours, informed consent. Exclusion criteria: major congenital anomalies, Rhesus hemolytic disease. Age at entry into the trial: 2.7±3 days in treatment group and 2.9±2 days in control group. | Treatment: 25 IU tocopherol provided by gavage as 16 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol (Hoffman-La Roche) started day one, daily for six weeks. Control: placebo: drug vehicle (Tween 80). | Mortality in NICU, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, platelet count, coagulation tests | Plasma tocopherol level at six weeks: treatment group 2.88±2.02
mg/dl, control group 0.86±0.50 mg/dl.
Outcome variables available only in subsets: hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count, platelet count, and coagulation tests |
A |
| Study | Reason for exclusion |
| Barness 1968 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of adding a small amount of vitamin E (11.5 mg per quart) to the formula on plasma tocopherol level, hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count measured in very low birth weight infants. |
| Chadd 1970 | Randomized double blind placebo controlled trial of vitamin E for treatment of anemia of prematurity. Variability of hemoglobin is not provided. |
| Chirico 1983 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. Outcome variables in this study included various in vitro indices of white cell function. |
| Conway 1986 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review could be analyzed
using standard (parametric) meta-analysis, because the authors only provided
medians and ranges, without means and standard deviations or percentages.
Nevertheless, this double-blind randomized trial showed that adding either five or fifteen mg of vitamin E daily for ten weeks did not affect hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count of platelet count in preterm infants with a birth weight < 1760 g. All infants received at least the minimum of vitamin E recommended, i.e., a vitamin E: PUFA ratio at least equal to 0.6. No infant received iron supplementation. No infant developed clinical or hematological sign of vitamin E deficiency. |
| Curran 1979 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of three intramuscular injections of 50 mg/kg of Vitamin E Injectable (Roche) on days zero (< six hours of life), one and two of life on retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants. |
| Dyggve 1963 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of one intramuscular injection of 100 mg of al-alpha-tocopherol in aqueous colloidal solution (Ephynal, Hoffman-La Roche) just after birth on hemolysis in preterm infants. Entry criteria were prematurity and birth weight equal or less than 2,500 g. |
| Ehrenkranz 1978 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of daily intramuscular injections of 20 mg/kg of vitamin E Injectable (Hoffmann-LaRoche), starting upon admission to the study and continued as long as inspiratory oxygen concentration was greater than 40%. Entry criteria included respiratory distress syndrome, inspiratory oxygen concentration greater than 40% and continuous distending pressure required to maintain arterial oxygen tension greater than 50 mm Hg. |
| Fermanian 1976 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review could be analyzed using meta-analysis because standard deviation or standard error is not provided. This is a double-blind randomized trial assessing the effect of daily oral supplementation of 10 mg dl alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal, Roche) from the eighth day of life until nineteen weeks of life on hematologic parameters in preterm infants with a birth weight equal or less than 2500 g. Controls received placebo (lactose). Both vitamin E and placebo were dissolved in the milk. Infants were fed banked breast milk until reaching a weight of 1800 g (vitamin E content 9 mg/100 ml) and then formula (no measurable vitamin E). Iron was not provided. Among 74 infants entered into the study, 37 were randomized to treatment and 37 to control. Outcome measurements included hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and reticulocyte count at seven weeks of life. |
| Finer 1983 | This study included three groups: a historical control group (1978-81), and two vitamin E groups (1982). The early vitamin E group was given vitamin E orally before 12 hours of age by design, while late administration of vitamin E (after 40 hours) in the late vitamin E group was usually the result of an oversight. |
| Gerlóczy 1949 | This study compares several consecutive cohorts. |
| Goldbloom 1963 | No variability provided for the outcome variable, hemoglobin, at the end of the study. This is a quasi randomized trial comparing the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin E on hemoglobin concentration in healthy preterm infants. The trial had three arms, receiving, respectively, a vitamin E-free formula, a formula containing 3 mg/L of alpha tocopherol, and a formula supplemented to a total content of 8 mg per liter. The total number of enrolled patients was 44, including 14, 14 and 16 patients, respectively. Mean birth weights were, respectively, 1808±349 g, 1902±282 g, and 1732±242 g. Mean hemoglobin values were similar in all three arms at the end of the study. |
| González-Corbella 98 | This study was done in full-term infants. None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. |
| Gross 1974 | Variability of the outcome variable (hemoglobin) is not provided. This study included a quasi-randomized trial and a randomized trial, both comparing the effects of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamin E in preterm infants on hemoglobin concentration, vitamin E levels and erythrocyte phospholipids. |
| Gutcher 1985 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. Outcome variables in this study included included vitamin E level and percent peroxide-induced hemolysis. |
| Hashim 1968 | This study compares breast milk, cotton seed formula and evaporated milk. The difference in vitamin E content (18 mg/quart in the two formulas and 12 mg/quart in breast milk) is only one of several major differences in milk composition. The authors do not provide the variability in hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts. |
| Hassan 1966 | Quasi-randomized trial comparing two formulae and assessing the effects of vitamin E supplementation. Entry criteria were birth weight 940-2150 g, absence of congenital defects, and uncomplicated neonatal course. |
| Hervei 1983 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of daily intramuscular injections of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Ephynal, Hoffmann-La Roche) 50 mg/kg/day from the first day of life until two weeks of age on blindness secondary to retrolental fibroplasia in preterm infants with birth weight equal or less than 1500 g. |
| Hittner 1983 | This study compares two consecutive cohorts. |
| Huston 1982 | Randomized allocation to either total parenteral nutrition with Intralip or total parenteral nutrition without Intralipid. Vitamin E was a co-intervention. |
| Jansson 1984 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. The outcome variable in this study was serum vitamin E level. |
| Johnson 1974 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of intramuscular administration of vitamin E on retrolental fibroplasia in preterm infants. Entry criteria included birth weight less than 2001 g regardless of oxygen need or birth weight over 2001 g with gestational age less than 36 weeks if oxygen required for over 24 hours, and informed consent. |
| Johnson 1982 | These studies compare either (1) non simultaneous cohorts assigned, respectively, to vitamin E or no treatment or (2) combined data from two different protocols run in 1972-74 and 1974-76, respectively. These studies are also reported in Ann NY Acad Sci 1982 (see Johnson 1974 in included studies). |
| Johnson 1995 | This study compared a group of patients with threshold retinopathy of prematurity treated with cryotherapy and vitamin E (1985-91) in one hospital with a non simultaneous group of patients treated with cryotherapy and no vitamin E in a multicenter trial (CRYO-ROP, 1986-7). |
| Kinsey 1951 | This study compares several consecutive cohorts. |
| Levene 1979 | Quasi randomized trial assessing hemoglobin and reticulocyte count. No data provided. |
| Lo 1973 | Quasi randomized trial comparing three methods of treating hemolysis
in preterm infants: vitamin E at the first sign of hemolyis, vitamin E
within 2-4 weeks after developing hemolytic anemia, and no treatment. Averages
and standard deviations of hemoglobin and reticulocyte count are provided
only for the first group. |
| MacDonald 1987 | This study describes two consecutive cohorts assigned, respectively, to MVI-Concentrate and 50 mg/week of intramuscular vitamin E, and to MVI-Pediatric 65% of a vial per day. |
| McWhirter 1974 | No variability is provided for the outcome variable, i.e., hemoglobin. |
| Nishida 1986 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. The outcome variables in this study were vitamin E levels in various eye compartments. |
| Oski 1967 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of enteral vitamin E, beginning on the third day of life on hematologic parameters in preterm infants. |
| Owens 1949 | Quasi-randomized trial assessing the effect of enteral vitamin E on retrolental fibroplasia in infants with a birth weight less than or equal to 1360 grams. |
| Panos 1968 | Comparison of the outcome variable (hemoglobin) among groups is not possible because either standard deviation is not provided, or not all individual data are provided. |
| Sartain 1967 | No data are provided in the published abstract. |
| Schwalbe 1992 | None of the outcomes selected for this systematic review was analyzed. The outcome variable in this study was serum free alpha-tocopherol level. |
| Stone 2003 | No preterm infants were enrolled and none of the outcomes selected for this systematic review were analyzed. |
| Zöberlein 1982 | This study included both full-term and preterm infants. |
Bonati M, Bortolotti A, Celardo A, Marchetti F, Pasinetti G, Teani M, Marraro G, Bertoletti A, Calo S, Bianchi P, Pagani G, Zanini R, Gagliardi L. Absorption of intramuscular vitamin E in premature babies. Dev Pharmacol Ther 1991;16:13-21.
Chiswick 1982 {published data only}
Chiswick ML, Wynn J, Toner N. Vitamin E and intraventricular hemorrhage in the newborn. Ann NY Acad Sci 1982;393:109-20.
Chiswick 1983 {published data only}
Chiswick ML, Johnson M, Woodhall C, Gowland M, Davies J, Toner N, Sims D. Protective effect of vitamin E on intraventricular haemorrhage in the newborn. Ciba Found Symp 1983;101:186-200.
* Chiswick ML, Johnson M, Woodhall, C, Gowland M, Davies J, Toner N, Sims DG. Protective effect of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol) against intraventricular haemorrhage in premature babies. Br Med J 1983;287:81-4 [see also correction: Br Med J 1983; 287:383].
Cruz 1983 {published data only}
Cruz CSD, Wimberley PD, Johansen K, Friis-Hansen B. The effect of vitamin E on erythrocyte hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in newborn premature infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 1983;72:823-6.
Ehrenkranz 1982 {published data only}
* Ehrenkranz RA, Ablow RC, Warshaw JB. Effect of vitamin E on the development of oxygen-induced lung injury in neonates. Ann NY Acad Sci 1982;393:452-466.
Ehrenkranz RA, Puklin JE, Warshaw JB. Effectiveness of vitamin E administration during respiratory distress syndrome in preventing retrolental fibroplasia. Pediatr Res 1981;15:659.
Ehrenkranz RA, Puklin JE. Lack of effect of vitamin E administration during respiratory distress syndrome in preventing retinopathy of prematurity. In: Conference on Retinopathy of Prematurity. Washington, DC, December 4-6, 1981.
Ehrenkranz RA, Puklin JE. Letter to the editor. Ophthalmol 1982;89:988-9.
Puklin JE, Simon RM, Ehrenkranz RA. Influence on retrolental fibroplasia of intramuscular vitamin E administration during respiratory distress syndrome. Ophthalmol 1982;89:96-103.
Ferlin 1998 {published data only}
Ferlin MLS, Chuan LS, Jorge SM, Vannucchi H. Early anemia of prematurity. Nutrition Research 1998;18:1161-1173.
Finer 1982 {published data only}
Finer NN, Peters KL, Hayek Z, Merkel CL. Vitamin E and necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatrics 1984;73:387-93.
* Finer NN, Schindler RF, Grant G, Hill GB, Peters KL. Effect of intramuscular vitamin E on frequency and severity of retrolental fibroplasia. A controlled trial. The Lancet 1982;1:1087-91.
Finer NN, Schindler RF, Peters KL, Grant GD. Vitamin E and retrolental fibroplasia. Improved visual outcome with early vitamin E. Ophthalmol 1983;90:428-35.
Fischer 1987 {published data only}
* Fischer AF, Inguillo D, Martin DM, Ochikubo CG, Vreman HJ, Stevenson DK. Carboxyhemoglobin concentration as an index of bilirubin production in neonates with birth weights less than 1,500 grams: a randomized double-blind comparison of supplemental oral vitamin E and placebo. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1987;6:748-51.
Fischer AF, Inguillo DR, Martin DM, Yang CC, Stevenson DK. Carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) after randomized double-blind controlled trial of oral vitamin E or placebo in babies with birth weights < 1.5 kg. Pediatr Res 1986;20:347A.
Fish 1990 {published data only}
Fish WH, Cohen M, Franzek D, Williams JM, Lemons JA. Effect of intramuscular vitamin E on mortality and intracranial hemorrhage in neonates of 1000 grams or less. Pediatrics 1990;85:578-84.
Graeber 1977 {published data only}
Graeber JE, Williams ML, Oski FA. The use of intramuscular vitamin E in the premature infant. Optimum dose and iron interaction. J Pediatr 1977;90:282-4.
Gross 1977 {published data only}
Gross SJ, Landaw SA, Oski FA. Vitamin E and neonatal hemolysis. Pediatrics 1977;59:995-7.
Gross 1979 {published data only}
Gross SJ. Vitamin E and neonatal bilirubinemia. Pediatrics 1979;64:321-3.
Hittner 1981 {published data only}
* Hittner HM, Godio LB, Rudolph AJ, Adams JM, Garcia-Prats JA, Friedman Z, Kautz JA, Monaco WA. Retrolental fibroplasia: efficacy of vitamin E in a double-blind clinical study of preterm infants. N Engl J Med 1981;305:1365-71.
Hittner HM, Kretzer FL, Rudolph AJ. Prevention and management of retrolental fibroplasia. Hospital Practice 1984;19:85-94,99.
Hittner HM. Retrolental fibroplasia and vitamin E. Ophthalmol 1982;89:987-8.
Hittner HM. Vitamin E in retrolental fibroplasia (letter). NEJM 1982;306:867-8.
Kretzer FL, Hittner HM, Johnson AT, Mehta RS, Godio LB. Vitamin E and retrolental fibroplasia: ultrastructural support of clinical efficacy. Ann NY Acad Sci 1982;393:145-66.
Hittner 1984 {published data only}
Hittner HM, Rudolph AJ, Kretzer FL. Suppression of severe retinopathy of prematurity with vitamin E supplementation. Ultrastructural mechanism of clinical efficacy. Ophthalmol 1984;91:1512-23.
* Hittner HM, Speer ME, Rudolph AJ, Blifeld C, Chadda P, Holbein MEB, Godio LB, Kretzer FL. Retrolental fibroplasia and vitamin E in the preterm infant--comparison of oral versus intramuscular:oral administration. Pediatrics 1984;73:238-49.
Speer ME, Blifeld C, Rudolph AJ, Chadda P, Holbein MEB, Hittner HM. Intraventricular hemorrhage and vitamin E in the very low-birth-weight infant: evidence for efficacy of early intramuscular vitamin E administration. Pediatrics 1984;74:1107-12.
Jansson 1978 {published data only}
Jansson L, Holmberg L, Nilsson B, Johansson B. Vitamin E requirements of preterm infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 1978;67:459-63.
Johnson 1989 {published data only}
Abbasi S, Fong E, Johnson L, Boggs T, Grous M. Effect of vitamin E therapy in hyperbilirubinemia of preterm infants. Pediatr Res 1980;14:588.
Abbasi S, Johnson L, Boggs T. Effect of vit E by infusion in sick small premature infants at risk for BPD. Pediatr Res 1980;14:638.
Johnson L, Bowen FW Jr, Abbasi S, Herrmann N, Weston M, Sacks L, Porat R, Stahl G, Peckham G, Delivoria-Papadopoulos M, Quinn G, Schaffer D. Relationship of prolonged pharmacologic serum levels of vitamin E to incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with birth weight 1,500 grams or less. Pediatrics 1985;75:619-38.
* Johnson L, Quinn GE, Abbasi S, Otis C, Goldstein D, Sacks L, Porat R, Fong E, Delivoria-Papadopoulos M, Peckham G, Schaffer DB, Bowen FW, Jr. Effect of sustained pharmacologic vitamin E levels on incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity: a controlled clinical trial. J Pediatr 1989;114:827-38.
Quinn GE, Johnson L, Abbasi S. Onset of retinopathy of prematurity as related to postnatal and postconceptional age. Br J Ophthalmol 1992;76:284-8.
Quinn GE, Johnson L, Otis C, Schaffer DB, Bowen FW. Incidence, severity and time course of ROP in a randomized clinical trial of vitamin E prophylaxis. Documenta Ophthalmologica 1990;74:223-8.
Schaffer DB, Johnson L, Quinn GE, Abbasi S, Otis C, Bowen FW. Vitamin E and retinopathy of prematurity: the ophthalmologist's perspective. Birth Defects 1988;24:219-35.
Schaffer DB, Johnson L, Quinn GE, Weston M, Bowen FW Jr. Vitamin E and retinopathy of prematurity. Follow-up at one year. Ophthalmol 1985;92:1005-11.
Melhorn 1971 {published data only}
* Melhorn DK, Gross S. Vitamin E-dependent anemia in the premature infant. I. Effects of large doses of medicinal iron. J Pediatr 1971;79:569-80.
Melhorn DK, Gross S. Vitamin E-dependent anemia in the preterm infant. II. Relationship between gestational age and absorption of vitamin E. J Pediatr 1971;79:581-8.
Pathak 2003 {published and unpublished data}
Pathak A, Roth P, Piscitelli J, Johnson L. Role of vitamin E supplementation during erythropoietin treatment of the anemia of prematurity. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2003;88:F324-F328.
Phelps 1987a {published data only}
Phelps DE. Vitamin E and retinopathy of prematurity. In: Silvermann WA, Flynn JT, editor(s). Contemporary issues in fetal and neonatal medicine. Vol. 2. Retinopathy of prematurity. Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1985:181-205.
* Phelps DL, Rosenbaum AL, Isenberg SJ, Leake RD, Dorey FJ. Tocopherol efficacy and safety for preventing retinopathy of prematurity: a randomized, controlled, double-masked trial. Pediatrics 1987;79:489-500.
Rosenbaum AL, Phelps DL, Isenberg SJ, Leake RD, Dorey F. Retinal hemorrhage in retinopathy of prematurity associated with tocopherol treatment. Ophthalmol 1985;92:1012-4.
Rudolph 1989 {published data only}
Rudolph N, Schiller MS, Wong SL. Vitamin E and selenium in preterm infants: lack of effect on clinical patency of ductus arteriosus. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1989;59:140-6.
Rönnholm 1989 {published data only}
Rönnholm KAR, Dostálová L, Siimes MA. Vitamin E supplementation in very-low-birth-weight infants: long-term follow-up at two different levels of vitamin E supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49:121-6.
Saldanha 1982 {published data only}
Saldanha RL, Cepeda EE, Poland RL. Effect of prophylactic vitamin E on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in high-risk neonates. Pediatr Res 1980;14:650.
Saldanha RL, Cepeda EE, Poland RL. The effect of vitamin E prophylaxis on the incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J Pediatr 1982;101:89-93.
Schiller 1980 {published data only}
Schiller MS, Rudolph M, Kim MH, Thangavel M, Rivera LM, Kassner EG. Vitamin E and the ductus arteriosus (DA) in premature infants. Pediatr Res 1980;14:611.
Sinha 1987 {published data only}
Chiswick M, Gladman G, Sinha S, Toner N, Davies J. Prophylaxis of periventricular hemorrhage in preterm babies by vitamin E supplementation. Ann NY Acad Sci 1989;570:197-207.
Chiswick M, Gladman G, Sinha S, Toner N, Davies J. Vitamin E supplementation and periventricular hemorrhage in the newborn. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:370S-2S.
* Sinha S, Davies J, Toner N, Bogle S, Chiswick M. Vitamin E supplementation reduces frequency of periventricular haemorrhage in very preterm babies. The Lancet 1987;1:466-71.
Smith 1985 {published data only}
Smith DW, Cohen RS, Vreman HJ, Yeh A, Sharron S, Stevenson DK. Bilirubin production after supplemental oral vitamin E therapy in preterm infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1985;4:38-44.
Zipursky 1987 {published data only}
Bell EF, Brown EJ, Milner R, Sinclair JC, Zipursky A. Vitamin E absorption in small premature infants. Pediatrics 1979;63:830-2.
Blanchette V, Bell E, Nahmias C, Garnett S, Milner R, Zipursky A. A randomized control trial of vitamin E therapy in the prevention of anemia in low birth weight infants. Pediatr Res 1980;14:591.
Milner RA, Bell E, Blanchette V, Ling E, Watts JL, Zipursky A. Vitamin E supplement in under 1500 gram neonates. Pediatr Res 1979;13:501.
Milner RA, Watts JL, Paes B, Zipursky A. RLF in < 1500 gram neonates. Part of a randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of vitamin E. Retinopathy of Prematurity Conference. Columbus (OH): Ross Laboratories 1981:703-716.
Watts JL, Milner R, Zipursky A, Paes B, Ling E, Gill G, Fletcher B, Rand C. Failure of supplementation with vitamin E to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants < 1,500 g birth weight. Eur Respir J 1991;4:188-90.
Watts JL, Paes BA, Milner RA, Zipursky A, Gill GJ, Fletcher BD. Randomized controlled trial of vit. E and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pediatr Res 1981;15:686.
* Zipursky A, Brown EJ, Watts J, Milner R, Rand C, Blanchette VS, Bell EF, Paes B, Ling E. Oral vitamin E supplementation for the prevention of anemia in premature infants: a controlled trial. Pediatrics 1987;79:61-8.
Zipursky A, Milner RA, Blanchette VS, Johnston MA. Effect of vitamin E therapy on blood coagulation tests in newborn infants. Pediatrics 1980;66:547-50.
Barness LA, Oski FA, Williams ML, Morrow G III, Arnaud SB. Vitamin E response in infants fed a low-fat formula. Am J Clin Nutr 1968;21:40-44.
Chadd 1970 {published data only}
Chadd MA, Fraser AJ. A controlled trial of vitamin E therapy in infancy. Int J Vit Res 1970;40:610-6.
Chirico 1983 {published data only}
Chirico G, Marconi M, Colombo A, Chiara A, Rondini G, Ugazio AG. Deficiency of neutrophil phagocytosis in premature infants: effect of vitamin E supplementation. Acta Paediatr Scand 1983;72:521-4.
Conway 1986 {published data only}
Conway SP, Rawson I, Dear PRF, Shires SE, Kelleher J. The early anaemia of the premature infant: is there a place for vitamin E supplementation? Br J Nutr 1986;56:105-114.
Curran 1979 {published data only}
Curran JS, Cantolino SJ. Vitamin E (injectable) administration in the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity: evaluation with fluorescein angiography and fundus photography. Pediatr Res 1978;12:404.
Dyggve 1963 {published data only}
Dyggve HV, Probst JH. Vitamin E to premature infants. Influence on serum bilirubin, hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase. Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl 1963;146:48-56.
Ehrenkranz 1978 {published data only}
Ehrenkranz RA, Ablow RC, Warshaw JB. Prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia with vitamin E administration during the acute stages of respiratory distress syndrome. J Pediatr 1979;95:873-8.
* Ehrenkranz RA, Bonta BW, Ablow RC, Warshaw JB. Amelioration of bronchopulmonary dysplasia after vitamin E administration. A preliminary report. New Engl J Med 1978;299:564-9.
Fermanian 1976 {published data only}
Fermanian J, Salmon D, Olive G, Zambrowski S, Rossier A, Caldera R. Vitamin E versus placebo: a double blind comparative trial in the low birth weight infant in the seventh week of life. Nouv Rev Fr Hemat (Paris) 1976;16:246-53.
Finer 1983 {published data only}
* Finer NN, Peters KL, Schindler RF, Grant GD. Vitamin E and retrolental fibroplasia: prevention of serious ocular sequelae. Ciba Found Symp 1983;101:147-64.
Gerlóczy 1949 {published data only}
Gerlóczy F. Clinical and pathological role of d,l-alpha- tocopherol in premature infants (studies on the treatment of scleroedema). Annales Paediatrici (Basel) 1949;173:171-86.
Goldbloom 1963 {published data only}
Goldbloom RB. Studies of tocopherol requirements in health and disease. Pediatrics 1963;32:36-46.
González-Corbella 98 {published data only}
González-Corbella MJ, López-Sabater MC, Castellote-Bargalló AI, Campoy-Folgoso C, Rivero-Urgell M. Plasma and erythrocyte alpha-tocopherol and plasma retinol concentrations in term infants fed formula enriched with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Eur J Clin Nutr 1998;52:813-8.
Gross 1974 {published data only}
Gross S, Melhorn DK. Vitamin E-dependent anemia in the premature infant. III. Comparative hemoglobin, vitamin E, and erythrocyte phospholipid responses following absorption of either water-soluble or fat-soluble d-alpha tocopheryl. J Pediatr 1974;85:753-9.
Gutcher 1985 {published data only}
Gutcher GR, Farrell PM. Early intravenous correction of vitamin E deficiency in premature infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1985;4:604-9.
Hashim 1968 {published data only}
Hashim SA, Asfour RH. Tocopherol in infants fed diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 1968;21:7-14.
Hassan 1966 {published data only}
Hassan H, Hashim SA, Van Itallie TB, Sebrell WH. Syndrome in premature infants associated with low plasma vitamin E levels and high polyunusaturated fatty acid diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1966;19:147-57.
Hervei 1983 {published data only}
Hervei S, Bors Z, Ugrai M, Malik T, Czappán P, Bohár A, Véli M. Prevention of retrolental fibroplasia by administration of water soluble vitamin E (preliminary report). Orv Hetil 1983;124:811-2.
Hittner 1983 {published data only}
Hittner HM, Godio LB, Speer ME, Rudolph AJ, Taylor MM, Blifeld C, Kretzer FL. Retrolental fibroplasia: further clinical evidence and ultrastructural support for efficacy of vitamin E in the premature infant. Pediatrics 1983;71:423-32.
Huston 1982 {published data only}
Huston RK, Benda GJ, Carlson CV, Shearer TR, Reynolds JW, Neerhout RC. Selenium and vitamin E sufficiency in premature infants receiving total parenteral nutrition. JPEN J Parenteral Enteral Nutr. 1982;6:507-10.
Jansson 1984 {published data only}
Jansson L, Lindroth M, Työppönen J. Intestinal absorption of vitamin E in low birth weight infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 1984;73:329-332.
Johnson 1974 {published data only}
* Johnson L, Schaffer D, Boggs TR Jr. The premature infant, vitamin E deficiency and retrolental fibroplasia. Am J Clin Nutr 1974;27:1158-73.
Johnson L, Schaffer D, Quinn G, Goldstein D, Mathis MJ, Otis C, Boggs TR Jr. Vitamin E supplementation and the retinopathy of prematurity. Ann NY Acad Sci 1982;393:473-95.
Johnson LH, Schaffer DB, Rubinstein D, Crawford CS, Boggs TR. The role of vitamin E in retrolental fibroplasia. Pediatr Res 1976;10:425.
Johnson 1982 {published data only}
Johnson L, Schaffer D, Boggs T, Quinn G, Mathis M. Vitamin E therapy of retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) grade III or worse. Pediatr Res 1980;14:601.
Johnson LH, Schaffer DB, Goldstein DE, Boggs TR. Influence of vit. E treatment and adult blood transfusions on mean severity of retrolental fibroplasia. Pediatr Res 1977;11:535.
Johnson 1995 {published data only}
Johnson L, Quinn GE, Abbasi S, Gerdes J, Bowen FW, Bhutani V. Severe retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weights less than 1250 grams: incidence and outcome of treatment with pharmacologic serum levels of vitamin E in addition to cryotherapy from 1985 to 1991. J Pediatr 1995;127:632-9; Comment in: J Pediatr 1996:129:618-9.
Kinsey 1951 {published data only}
Kinsey VE, Chilsholm JF. Retrolental fibroplasia. Evaluation of several changes in dietary supplements of premature infants with respect to the incidence of the disease. Am J Ophthalmol 1951;34:1259-68.
Levene 1979 {published data only}
Levene MI. Vitamin E for prematurity. Lancet 1979;2:1186-7.
Lo SS, Frank D, Hitzig WH. Vitamin E and haemolytic anaemia in premature infants. Arch Dis Child 1973;48:360-5.
MacDonald 1987 {published data only}
MacDonald MG, Fletcher AB, Johnson EL, Boeckx RL, Getson PR, Miller MK. The potential toxicity to neonates of multivitamin preparations used in parenteral nutrition. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1987;11:169-71.
McWhirter 1974 {published data only}
McWhirter WR. Proceedings: Tocopherol and anaemia of prematurity. Arch Dis Child 1975;50:404.
* McWhirter WR. Tocopherol and the anaemia of prematurity. Acta Paediatr Scand 1974;63:894-5.
Nishida 1986 {published data only}
Nishida A, Togari H. Effect of vitamin E administration on alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the retina, choroid and vitreous body of human neonates. J Pediatr 1986;108:150-3.
Oski 1967 {published data only}
Oski FA, Barness LA. Hemolytic anemia in vitamin E deficiency. Am J Clin Nutr 1968;21:45-50.
Oski FA, Barness LA. Vitamin E deficiency: A previously unrecognized cause of hemolytic anemia in the premature infant. J Pediatr 1967;70:211-220.
Owens 1949 {published data only}
Owens WC, Owens EH. Retrolental fibroplasia in premature infants. II. Studies on the prophylaxis of the disease: the use of alpha tocopheryl acetate. Am J Ophthalmol 1949;32:1631-7.
Panos 1968 {published data only}
Panos TC, Stinnett B, Zapata G, Eminians J, Marasigan BV, Beard AG. Vitamin E and linoleic acid in the feeding of premature infants. Am J Clin Nutr 1968;21:15-39.
Sartain 1967 {published data only}
Sartain P, Kay JL, Dorn PM. The effect of vitamin E on the early anemia of prematurity. South Med J 1967;60:1371.
Schwalbe 1992 {published data only}
Schwalbe P, Büttner P, Elmadfa I. Development of vitamin-E-status of premature infants after intravenous application of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Int J Vit Nutr Res 1992;62:9-14.
Stone 2003 {published data only}
Stone WL, LeClair I, Ponder T, Baggs G, Reis BB. Infants discriminate between natural and synthetic vitamin E. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:899-906.
Zöberlein 1982 {published data only}
Zöberlein HG, Freudenberg V, Wehinger H. Influence of vitamin E on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates with artificial ventilation. A prospective randomized study. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 1982;130:706-9.
* indicates the primary reference for the study
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02 Vitamin E (aqueous colloidal) versus another form of vitamin E
(olive oil)
02.01 Mortality
02.02 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
02.03 Patent ductus arteriosus
02.04 Sepsis
02.05 Germinal matrix-intraventricular
hemorrhage
02.06 Stage IV (intraparenchymal) intraventricular
hemorrhage
02.07 Necrotizing enterocolitis
02.08 Exchange transfusion
| Comparison or outcome | Studies | Participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Vitamin E versus placebo or no vitamin E | ||||
| 01 Mortality until discharge | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 02 Mortality until discharge among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 03 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 04 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 05 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among surviving patients | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 06 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 07 Radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia persistent at 6 weeks - 2 months | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 08 Radiographic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 6 weeks - 2 months among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 09 Patent ductus arteriosus | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 10 Patent ductus arteriosus among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 11 Patent ductus arteriosus among surviving patients (at 10 days-10 weeks) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 12 Patent ductus arteriosus among surviving very low birth infants (at 10 days-10 weeks) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 13 Patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 14 Patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 15 Sepsis after study entry | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 16 Sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 17 Sepsis after study entry among very low birth weight infants treated for > 1 week | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 18 Sepsis among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 19 Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (grades I-IV) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 20 Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 21 Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage among patients with negative initial ultrasonogram | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 22 Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage among survivors | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 23 Germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 24 Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III-IV) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 25 Severe intraventricular hemorrhage among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 26 Severe intraventricular hemorrhage among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 27 Parenchymal hemorrhage (grade IV) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 28 Parenchymal hemorrhage among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 29 Parenchymal hemorrhage among patients with negative initial ultrasonogram | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 30 Parenchymal hemorrhage (Grade IV) among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 31 Retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 32 Retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 33 Retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity among infants examined/survivors | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 34 Retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity among very low birth weight infants examined | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 35 Severe retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or worse) | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 36 Severe retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity (grade >= 3) among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 37 Severe retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or worse) among patients examined | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 38 Severe retrolental fibroplasia/retinopathy of prematurity among very low birth weight infants examined | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 39 Retinal detachment among surviving infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 40 Retinal detachment among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 41 Cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia, any stage, among patients examined after discharge | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 42 Cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia, any stage, among very low birth weight infants examined after discharg | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 43 Blindness from retrolental fibroplasia among very low birth weight infants examined | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 44 Necrotizing enterocolitis | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 45 Necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 46 Necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight infants treated for > 1 week | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 47 Necrotizing enterocolitis among survivors | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 48 Necrotizing enterocolitis among surviving very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 49 Serum bilirubin concentration (mg/100 ml) on day 3-5 | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 50 Serum bilirubin concentration in very low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 51 Serum bilirubin concentration on day 3-5 in a specific group (no hemolysis, polycythemia, prior transfus | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 52 Hemoglobin concentration (g/100 ml) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 53 Hemoglobin concentration in very low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 54 Reticulocyte count (%) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 55 Reticulocyte count (%) in very low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 56 Reticulocyte count (million per liter) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 57 Reticulocyte count (million per liter) in very low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 58 Number of transfusions | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 59 Number of transfusions among survivors | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 60 Amount of blood transfused (ml/kg) among very low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 61 Amount of blood transfused (ml/kg) among surviving low birth weight infants | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 62 Platelet count (thousands/microliter) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 63 Prothrombin time (PT, seconds) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 64 Partial thromboplastin time (PTT, seconds) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 65 Fibrinogen concentration (mg/100 ml) | WMD (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 66 Retinal hemorrhage among very low birth weight infants examined/surviving | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 67 Reaction at site of injection | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 68 Reaction at site of injection in very low birth weight infants | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 02 Vitamin E (aqueous colloidal) versus another form of vitamin E (olive oil) | ||||
| 01 Mortality | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 02 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 03 Patent ductus arteriosus | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 04 Sepsis | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 05 Germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 06 Stage IV (intraparenchymal) intraventricular hemorrhage | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 07 Necrotizing enterocolitis | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
| 08 Exchange transfusion | RR (fixed), 95% CI | Subtotals only | ||
Talkad S Raghuveer
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatrics
University of Kansas Medical Center
3043 Wescoe Building
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City
KS 66106
Telephone 1: 913-541-5275
Facsimile: 913-588-6317
E-mail: traghuveer@kumc.edu
