retinol-palmitate and Biliary-Atresia

The relative dose response (RDR) test has been proposed as a tool for estimation of total body stores of vitamin A. In this study we have validated a variation of this test in children with or without liver disease. Administration of vitamin A was done by intravenous injection of 1000 micrograms of retinyl palmitate. We conclude that the RDR test by intravenous injection performed after 5 h is a reliable and sensitive indicator of vitamin A status. Values found were greater than 20% when liver vitamin A concentration is less than 20 micrograms/g liver and less than 10% when liver vitamin A concentration is greater than 20 micrograms/g liver. We also conclude that the RDR test can be applied to evaluate the efficiency of vitamin A therapy and we confirm that plasma retinol levels should not be used to screen vitamin A status.

Topics: Biliary Atresia; Biopsy; Child, Preschool; Diterpenes; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Infant; Liver; Liver Diseases; Retinyl Esters; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency