The relationship between umbilical cord blood vitamin A levels and late preterm infant morbidities: a prospective cohort study

The aim of this study is to explore the association between umbilical cord blood (UCB) vitamin A levels and late preterm infants morbidities. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 208 late-preterm infants(from 34(0)/(7)to 36(6)/(7)weeks gestational age) between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. UCB specimens were collected shortly after birth, and vitamin A levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prevalence of low UCB vitamin A level < 0.7 mu mol/L was 37.5% in late preterm infants. In comparison to vaginal delivery, cesarean section was associated with UCB vitamin A level < 0.7 mu mol/L (P< 0.001). Nevertheless, UCB vitamin A levels did not correlate with gestational age, birth weight, and gender. UCB vitamin A level < 0.7 mu mol/L was not an independent risk factor for hospitalization, oxygen supplementation, hyperbilirubinemia, sepsis, and respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions: Low umbilical cord blood vitamin A levels are common among late-preterm infants. Cesarean section delivery is associated with low umbilical cord blood vitamin A level. Low umbilical cord blood vitamin A levels at birth do not increase morbidity of late-preterm infants, including hyperbilirubinemia, sepsis, and respiratory distress syndrome. What is Known: Late preterm infants have a higher morbidity and mortality rates when compared to term infants. Low plasma vitamin A levels increase the risk of preterm infants' morbidity. What is New: Late preterm infants commonly have low level of umbilical cord blood vitamin A. Low umbilical cord blood vitamin A level at birth appears to be not associated with the morbidity of late-preterm infants. Cesarean section is associated with low umbilical cord blood vitamin A level < 0.7 mu mol/L compared with vaginal delivery.

Automated summary

This study found that low umbilical cord blood vitamin A levels are common among late-preterm infants, but do not increase the risk of related diseases. Cesarean section delivery is associated with low umbilical cord blood vitamin A levels.