Anthropometric evaluations and vitamin A and E levels in cholestatic infants.

Antropomatric measurements and vitamin A and E levels were performed in 12 and 13 infants with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (NH) and extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) respectively. Triceps skin fold and midarm circumference demonstrated that 4 cases of NH and 1 case of EHBA had protein-calorie malnutrition. There was no clinical evidence of vitamin A and E deficiency in both groups but levels of vitamin were lower than those of normal infants. Proper feeding and vitamin supplements are necessary to prevent and treat protein-calorie malnutrition and fat soluble vitamin deficiency in cholestatic infants.