Hematologic Studies in Undernourished Children with Low Serum Vitamin E Levels

The possible interrelationships of vitamin E, red cell hemolysis and iron deficiency were investigated in anemic undernourished children in a Beirut orphanage. Eight children, having iron deficiency anemia, very low serum vitamin E levels and increased red cell hemolysis in vitro, were chosen for further study. The children were divided into two equal and similar groups. Group I received iron therapy first, then vitamin E. Group II received vitamin E, then iron. Vitamin E was administered orally, parenterally, and by both routes together, to different children in each group. Red cell survival using radioactive Cr51 was determined in six of the infants before the institution of vitamin E therapy. The data obtained do not suggest that a low serum vitamin E level is causally related to either iron deficiency anemia or increased erythrocyte hemolysis. The oral administration of vitamin E resulted in a greater and more rapid rise in serum vitamin E levels than the intramuscular administration of equal doses in oil.