Retinol Status in Preterm Infants and Mothers

Retinol and retinol binding protein were studied in the umbilical cord blood of 44 preterm infants with gestation age of \< 30 weeks. Serum retinol and RBP levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The rate of transplacental retinol passage was calculated. The demographic data of mother and baby, vitamin use in the mother, antenatal steroid application and diseases diagnosed during pregnancy were recorded. An evaluation was made of the retinol, RBP and factors of the mother and baby affecting the transplacental retinol passage. The relationship between retinol and retinol binding protein levels and neonatal mortality and morbidity was investigated.