Abstract
Objective: To determine the effect of maternal antenatal vitamin E supplementation on neonatal jaundice.
Methods: A randomized double blind controlled trial assessing the role of vitamin E in the prevention of preeclampsia was conducted in a tertiary hospital over two years. From 12–16 weeks gestation until delivery, primigravida mothers with singleton pregnancies received either 100 mg daily vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol rich fraction, or placebo. The newborns were assessed for jaundice.
Results: Among 262 infants, 136 were in the vitamin E group and 126 in the placebo group. The incidence of neonatal jaundice was similar: 38% (54/136) in the vitamin E group and 36% (45/126) in the placebo group (p= 0.10). Nevertheless, the vitamin E group had a tendency for lower peak serum bilirubin, although not significantly so.
Conclusion: Maternal antenatal vitamin E supplementation had no effect on the incidence of neonatal jaundice.
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