Journal article

Publication year: 1993

Pages: 80-85

Journal: Biology of the Neonate

Volume number: 63

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0006-3126

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1159/000243915

Publisher: S. Karger AG

Abstract: 
Despite the potential dangers of over- and undersupplementation with riboflavin (vitamin B2), little is known about status, requirements and metabolism of this vitamin in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. As reported here, it is possible to calculate the intraerythrocytic concentration of free flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the predominant coenzyme form of riboflavin, on the basis of the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRAC). This parameter was determined in 9 VLBW infants (median of birthweight 634 g, median of gestational age 24 weeks + 3 days) at intervals over a period of 6 weeks. All infants received riboflavin supplementation, either in milk (average intake: 175 mug/kg/day) and a multivitamin preparation (200 mug/day) or via total parenteral nutrition (TPN; 720 mug/kg/day). The average EGRAC was 1.07 (1.00-1.24) during enteral nutrition and 1.05 (1.00-1.18) during TPN. These values correspond to free FAD levels of 757 and 1,060 nM, which is 4 to 5 times higher than in cord blood or in breast-fed infants. EGRAC values between 1.15 and 1.35, representing free intracellular FAD levels of 350-150 nM, should be adequate in VLBW infants in order to minimize the hazards of flavin-induced radical reactions.

Harvard Citation style: Becker, K. and Wilkinson, A. (1993) Flavin adenine dinucleotide levels in erythrocytes of very low birth weight infants under vitamin supplementation, Biology of the Neonate, 63(2), pp. 80-85. https://doi.org/10.1159/000243915

APA Citation style: Becker, K., & Wilkinson, A. (1993). Flavin adenine dinucleotide levels in erythrocytes of very low birth weight infants under vitamin supplementation. Biology of the Neonate. 63(2), 80-85. https://doi.org/10.1159/000243915