RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the oral supplement doses of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate to maintain normal serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in children with chronic cholestasis and vitamin-E deficient. BACKGROUND: Malabsorption and deficiency of vitamin E in children with chronic cholestasis causes a progressive, neuromuscular degeneration at approximately 18-24 months of life, if left untreated. Using prompt treatment, it can be completely prevented and reversed to normal. METHOD: Longitudinal, prospective and comparative study was performed on consecutive sixty vitamin E deficient children with chronic cholestasis divided in three groups. After initial evaluation, therapy was started for 15 days in each group with 100 IU, 200 IU and 400 IU/day of oral dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate, respectively; alpha-tocopherol-status, neurological function and biochemical parameters were monitored during therapy. RESULTS: Any oral supplement does administrated for 15 days of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate were enough to maintain the normalization of alpha-tocopherol status (p > 0.06). Neurological function, which had not deteriorated before entry in the trial, stabilized in all after 15 days of therapy. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Oral supplement of dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate for 15 days with 100 IU, 200 IU, and 400 IU, in spite of safety, weren't enough to maintain the alpha-tocopherol serum concentration in children with chronic cholestasis and vitamin-E deficient.
