Oral vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants to improve health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#bronchopulmonary-dysplasia #dexamethasone #dietary-supplements #humans #infant

Oral vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants to improve health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Phattraprayoon et al., 2022 | PLoS One | Meta Analysis

Citation

Phattraprayoon Nanthida, Ungtrakul Teerapat, ... Susantitaphong Paweena. Oral vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants to improve health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2022;17(4):e0265876. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265876

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of oral vitamin A supplementation on clinical outcomes in preterm infants. DESIGN: We conducted the meta-analysis by searching PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to 12 August 2021, including reference lists of retrieved articles. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of oral vitamin A on premature babies were included. We used a random-effects model to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and weighted mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the GRADE approach to grade evidence quality and assess how oral vitamin A supplementation affects clinical outcomes. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcomes were respiratory outcomes, including the length of respiratory support, the need for oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks PMA. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization time, vitamin A status, mortality, other related outcomes, and potential adverse drug-related events. RESULTS: We included four RCTs, with 800 patients total. In all trials, oral vitamin A treatment was compared to a placebo. Oral vitamin A supplementation did not significantly affect mechanical ventilation duration (MD, -1.07 days; 95% CI, -2.98 to 0.83 days), oxygen requirement at 36 weeks PMA (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.31), or moderate-to-severe BPD at 36 weeks PMA (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.07 to 4.17). However, oral vitamin A supplementation yielded a slightly shorter noninvasive ventilation duration (MD, -0.96 days; 95% CI, -1.59 to -0.33 days). CONCLUSIONS: Administering oral vitamin A to preterm newborns did not alter the mechanical ventilation duration, oxygen needed at 36 weeks PMA, moderate-to-severe BPD at 36 weeks PMA, death, or short-term benefits. However, oral vitamin A supplementation may slightly affect the duration of noninvasive respiratory support without adverse drug-related events.

Key Findings

We included four RCTs, with 800 patients total. In all trials, oral vitamin A treatment was compared to a placebo. Oral vitamin A supplementation did not significantly affect mechanical ventilation duration (MD, -1.07 days; 95% CI, -2.98 to 0.83 days), oxygen requirement at 36 weeks PMA (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.31), or moderate-to-severe BPD at 36 weeks PMA (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.07 to 4.17). However, oral vitamin A supplementation yielded a slightly shorter noninvasive ventilation duration (M

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 800
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Oxygen
  • Vitamin A

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09