Effect of Vitamin E in Prevention of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Neonates

Abstract

Background: Germinal matrix‑intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most common brain hemorrhage in preterm neonates. The importance of this hemorrhage lies in its severe complications. There is no definite treatment for IVH in neonates; therefore, the prevention of IVH should be considered. Some studies have shown that Vitamin E can probably decrease the risk of IVH and the other study has not shown its efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Vitamin E on incidence and severity of IVH in preterm neonates.

Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 76 neonates with gestational age of ≤30 weeks in the Isfahan University of Medical Science. The neonates were divided into two groups. The group one was administered with 10 units of Vitamin E for 3 days and the second group with placebo. In the 4th and 7th days after birth, brain sonography was conducted to evaluate IVH. The presence of sepsis, incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, and hypotension were examined.

Results: In this study, 76 neonates with the mean age of 28.49 ± 1.46 weeks participated. The incidence of hemorrhage in the 4th day was 26.3% in cases and 42.1% in controls with no significant difference (P = 0.3). The findings of the second sonography reported the incidence of IVH in 17.1% of cases and 36.8% of control group.

Conclusions: Based on findings of the current study, Vitamin E use did not significantly decrease IVH in neonates. Further studies with larger sample size are needed.

Keywords: Intraventricular hemorrhage, preterm, Vitamin E