Syndrome in Premature Infants Associated with Low Plasma Vitamin E Levels and High Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Diet

A syndrome consisting of edema, skin lesions, an elevated platelet count and morphologic changes in erythrocytes has been described in a small series of premature infants receiving formula mixtures containing fat with a relatively high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The lesions and hematologic changes were associated with low plasma vitamin E levels and increased erythrocyte sensitivity to peroxide hemolysis (ESPH). These abnormalities disappeared rapidly after the administration of vitamin E and were not observed in infants fed identical diets supplemented with vitamin E. The results suggest that the diet, high in PUFA and relatively low in vitamin E, played an etiologic role in the development of the syndrome.