Lutein Benefits Preterm Infants

ROMEOral lutein is well absorbed by preterm infants, increasing plasma lutein concentrations, which may impact macular development and visual function, according to a new study (Eur J Clin Nutr. ePub 2010 May 12; DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.62). Researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, provided a single dose of lutein (0.5 mg/kg) to 10 preterm infants at a mean age of 52 hours of life. Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were measured before and at six, 24, 48 and 120 hours after treatment. Supplementation increased lutein concentrations by 13.5 percent at six hours and by 16.7 percent at 24 hours, returning to basal level at 120 hours after treatment; zeaxanthin levels were unchanged. The researchers noted the lutein was well absorbed, but further research is needed to ascertain the clinical impact of supplementation on visual function.