From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of Vitamin A for the treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is 700-1500 IU/kg/day.
Key Points
- This dose is based on the guidelines for pediatric parenteral nutrition, which recommend 700-1500 IU/kg/day of vitamin A for preterm infants on parenteral nutrition 1.
- Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of BPD and improve outcomes in preterm infants, particularly those with vitamin A deficiency 1.
- The optimal dose and duration of vitamin A supplementation for BPD prevention are still debated, but the recommended dose range is generally considered safe and effective.
- It is essential to note that vitamin A can undergo substantial losses when given with water-soluble solutions, and parenteral lipid-soluble vitamins should be given with lipid emulsion whenever possible to minimize losses 1.
- Serum concentrations of vitamin A below 200 mg/l are considered deficient in premature infants, and concentrations below 100 mg/l indicate severe deficiency and depleted liver stores 1.
- The use of retinyl palmitate, a more stable form of vitamin A, may help reduce losses and improve serum levels 1.
From the Research
Recommended Dose of Vitamin A for BPD Treatment
The recommended dose of Vitamin A for the treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is as follows:
- 5,000 IU/kg/day for 28 days, as indicated in the study 2
- 5,000 IU three times a week for four weeks, as mentioned in the study 3
- 5,000 IU three times a week, as stated in the study 4
Comparison of Different Dosing Regimens
A comparison of different dosing regimens is as follows:
- A higher dose of 10,000 IU three times per week did not increase serum retinol and retinol binding protein (RBP) and lower relative dose responses (RDR) 3
- Once-per-week dosing of 15,000 IU led to equivalent levels, RBP, and RDR, but worsened vitamin A deficiency compared to the standard regimen 3
Efficacy of Vitamin A Supplementation
The efficacy of vitamin A supplementation in preventing BPD is as follows:
- Vitamin A supplementation reduces the risk of developing BPD in extremely low birth weight infants, as indicated in the study 5
- Vitamin A supplementation decreases oxygen dependency at the postmenstrual age of 36 weeks, as mentioned in the study 5
- Vitamin A supplementation reduces the duration of intubation, days of oxygen therapy, and length of hospital stay in premature infants, as stated in the study 4