Efficacy of water-based vitamin E solution versus placebo in the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, which help in scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing oxidation of lipids and proteins. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral vitamin E supplementation in preventing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and decreasing oxidative stress 15 and 28 days post-intervention. METHODS: Ninety VLBW infants were randomly assigned to two groups: 1. Treatment (treatment group (T), n = 48) or 2. Placebo (control group (C), n = 42). Each group received 25 IU of vitamin E (T) or placebo (C). RESULTS: The incidence of ROP in groups T and C was 12.5% (n=6) and 31% (n = 13), respectively (RR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.10–0.96). There were no differences in mortality between groups. As expected, the vitamin E concentration was significantly increased 28 days post-intervention in group T. CONCLUSION: Oral supplementation with vitamin E may effectively prevent ROP development in VLBW infants with RDS. Oxidative damage markers were significantly lower, whereas total antioxidant capacity was increased in group T. However, levels of other antioxidants as vitamin A and C were not measured in two groups.