How to give vitamin E to an infant. Vitamin E for a child: purpose, action, composition, dosage, indications and contraindications. How does vitamin E work?

Content

One of the most important elements for the human body, Vitamin E performs many functions and, above all, protects the cell wall from chemical and mechanical destruction. In order to prevent a deficiency of the beneficial vitamin in the body, you should drink it additionally, following the instructions. Before giving medications containing this element, you should consult your doctor to understand why vitamin E is needed.

What is vitamin E

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble organic substance from the class of vitamins. The term "tocopherol" is of Greek origin and means "to bring life." It is a combination of four esters - tocopherols and four tocotrienols. This compound includes 7 vitamins, which are distinguished from each other by their biological activity on animal cells. Among them, the most active form is alpha-tocopherol.

Vitamin E is a stable compound that maintains its integrity at high temperatures during food processing, dehydration, and canning with salt. At the same time, it is highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, so products containing this substance should be stored in dark thick glass containers or in a dark place.

History of discovery

Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 by Herbert Evans and Catherine Scott Bishop. The experiments they conducted showed that rats that ate exclusively animal products lost their ability to reproduce after some time. The restoration of the reproductive system occurred after the introduction of lettuce leaves and vegetable oil into the diet. From this, scientists concluded that a certain “X” factor contained in plant products is a very important component of food.

Biological role

Vitamin E is a unique protective element against oxidative damage. It occupies a certain position in the cell membrane, thereby preventing the contact of oxygen with unsaturated fatty acids, and forms hydrophobic complexes that protect cell membranes from destruction. In addition, it has strong antioxidant properties due to the presence of free radicals in its composition.

Daily requirement

Since Vitamin E is a vital compound, there is a specific daily requirement that is determined based on a person's gender, age, and overall health. The daily dose of vitamin E is as follows:

• women: 20-30 mg;
• men: 25-35 mg;
• infants up to 6 months: from 1 mg to 3 mg;
• children from 6 months to 3 years: 5-8 mg;
• for children aged 3 to 12 years: 8-10 mg;
• children from 12 to 18 years old: 10-17 mg.

Vitamin E is found in large quantities in plant foods. The vitamin content in products depends, first of all, on the climate in which a particular plant is grown. The largest amount of tocopherol is found in wheat germ oil (400 mg) and nuts. Approximate tocopherol content in some foods:

What is it absorbed with?

Vitamins of group E belong to the group of fat-soluble substances. This means that tocopherol molecules can be incorporated into the membrane of animal cells only in combination with lipids of animal or plant origin. For normal absorption with foods containing tocopherol, it is necessary to eat fatty foods. Vegetable fats reduce the need for concentration of synthetic analogues, active additives for additional intake in cases of tocopherol deficiency and fat-soluble antioxidants.

Symptoms of deficiency and lack of vitamin E in the body

The first sign of vitamin deficiency and insufficiency is muscle weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness. Children who suffer from tocopherol deficiency from infancy lag behind in physical and mental development. In addition, in children under one year of age, a lack of tocopherol can cause rickets, dermatitis, psoriasis, and muscle tissue dystrophy. Premature babies suffer from retinopathy.

With insufficient consumption of this substance, hemolysis of red blood cells occurs (destruction of red blood cells), and stable hemolytic anemia develops. Hypovitaminosis of tocopherol contributes to the destruction of fibers of the peripheral nervous system, which leads to impaired motor function and a decrease in pain sensitivity of the skin. Lack of consumption in women can cause menstrual irregularities and increase the risk of early miscarriage.

Vitamin E helps the intestines absorb retinol and, if it is insufficient, leads to deficiency (hypovitaminosis) of vitamin A, which is manifested by dry skin, decreased visual acuity, hair loss, and decreased resistance of the immune system. Lack of fat absorption can also lead to hypovitaminosis of vitamins A and E. In old age, daily tocopherol hypovitaminosis provokes the development and accelerates the aging of the body. Lack of tocopherol is responsible for the progression of atherosclerosis.

What are the benefits of vitamin E?

During clinical studies and experiments, it turned out that Vitamin E plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. Main beneficial properties:

• is an active antioxidant;
• universal protector of cell membranes from oxidative damage;
• improves cell nutrition;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• helps maintain sexual functions;
• improves the condition of hair, skin, nails;
• slows the spread of cancer;
• doctors prescribe for the treatment of diabetes;
• promotes the absorption of retinol and other fat-soluble vitamins;
• lowers blood pressure in heart disease.

For women

Vitamin E is of particular importance for women. It reduces the rate of development of pigmentation on the skin, allowing the female body to maintain youth. Vitamin E capsules are prescribed for the treatment of infertility and menopause. In cases of severe stress, decreased immunity, and ovarian dysfunction, Vitamin E helps restore the normal menstrual cycle. Many cosmetic companies add derivatives of this element to their creams to better nourish and moisturize dry skin.

During pregnancy

Women during pregnancy are not recommended to take Vitamin E without a doctor's prescription. Vitamin E in oil can provoke placental abruption in the second trimester and thrombosis of the umbilical cord vessels in the later stages. There are cases where use in large doses caused severe bleeding in girls. Doctors attribute this effect to the presence of a specific protein in women during pregnancy.

For newborns

Vitamin E for children is used for the normal development of muscular and skeletal systems, ligamentous apparatus. The compound promotes mental development and preservation of reflexes. In newborns with insufficiently developed body functions, the vitamin accelerates tissue differentiation, promotes the rapid gain of fat mass, and promotes the maturation of the respiratory system, especially lung tissue.

For men

With a deficiency of tocopherol, toxins accumulate in cells, which have a negative effect on the quality of seed material (sperm). The deficiency causes the development of secondary male infertility and early impotence. If there is insufficient Vitamin E in the diet, toxic substances and dead cells reduce the absorption of other microelements in the intestine.

Vitamin E preparations

Indications for use of vitamin E

Vitamin E is used for hypovitaminosis, rehabilitation therapy after illnesses, asthenic syndrome, neurasthenia, degenerative changes in joint tissue, inflammatory diseases of ligaments and muscles, and impaired absorption of retinol. Tocopherol is indicated for use in premature newborns with low body weight, with protein diets to restore muscle mass. Such pharmacological agents are prescribed for disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism; in addition, they promote the absorption of magnesium.

Instructions for use of vitamin E

In case of insufficient consumption in food or in small quantities of plant foods, preparations containing natural tocopherol or an artificially synthesized vitamin are prescribed. Your doctor will tell you in detail how to take vitamin E. The use of synthetic medications without a doctor's prescription can provoke symptoms of hypervitaminosis. When taking medications, you must follow the dosage.

Vitamin oil

Among the natural products containing Vitamin E are oils. They are added to the general diet, as salad dressings, additives for porridge or other dishes. It is not recommended to heat oils enriched with vitamins (baking or frying) - this leads to the destruction of bonds between molecules and a decrease in the beneficial properties of the product. Oils increase the need for carbohydrates and proteins.

In capsules

Vitamin E capsules are widely used to treat not only vitamin deficiency, but also when there is a shortage of other fat-soluble drugs. Pharmacological preparations made in the form of capsules, as a rule, contain several groups of fat-soluble vitamins at a time for intensive support of the body during exacerbations of chronic diseases and vitamin deficiencies.

In drops

Medicines in drops are used to treat vitamin deficiency in children. Drops containing tocopherol contain a smaller amount of the active component, which helps to avoid an overdose of the vitamin. For adults, doctors prescribe drops when the insufficient content is not acute and the medication is taken as a preventive measure.

Intramuscularly

The use of injections for the administration of drugs containing tocopherol is, as a rule, carried out only during inpatient treatment. This is due to the increased concentration of the vitamin in medications that are used for acute vitamin deficiency, for example, in newborns or premature infants, vitamin deficiency due to severe malnutrition. It is not recommended for self-use due to the high risk of infection of soft tissues during injection.

Vitamin E contraindications

Tocopherol is a strong compound and can have negative effects on the body. Tocopherol has some contraindications for use:

• diseases of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism);
• type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• chronic liver diseases;
• deficit;
• atherosclerosis, presence.

In addition, individual intolerance to tocopherol and allergic reactions of primary and secondary types may be contraindications for use. An allergy can occur both after the first use and some time after the substance enters the body. It can be expressed by anaphylactic shock, rash, itching, chronic conjunctivitis. People suffering from alcohol and drug addiction should take the vitamin with caution.

Side effects of vitamin E

Among the side effects of long-term use of tocopherol, when excess vitamin accumulates in the body, there are two types: those associated directly with the intake of the vitamin and those caused by additional compounds contained in preparations that include tocopherol (retinol, vegetable oil, molecules gland).

With tocopherol hypervitaminosis: itching, rash, dizziness, weakness. Side effects of the second group include: nausea, vomiting, bleeding gums, impaired reproductive function (fertility) in women, jaundice of non-viral etiology.

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Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Vitamin E refers to a whole group of fat-soluble substances. The main goal in the body is to neutralize free radicals. Compared to other beneficial substances, vitamin E is not a very powerful antioxidant, but it has other beneficial properties that are involved in the development of the child's body.
Science has given several names to vitamin E. 8 natural forms of this substance have also been identified. The leading groups are tocopherols and tocotrienols. They can be isolated both from natural substances and obtained synthetically. Synthetically produced vitamins can be found on sale most often and at an affordable price, but the natural component is two to four times more expensive than the synthetic one. Tocopherol can be found as an additive to some other drugs, since research is currently underway on the use of tocopherol in its pure form. Both tocopherols and tocotrienols have different properties and have different effects on the body. This means that all types of vitamin E are the same in structure, but not the same in their effect. The most active form is alpha-tocopherol.

Vitamin E for children is characterized by a number of beneficial properties. This substance acts in mitochondria, that is, deeper than at the cellular level. Vitamin E is a component of the cell membrane and protects it from oxidation. The substance also has a beneficial effect on red blood cells, ensuring their easy passage through blood vessels and capillaries. This allows red blood cells not to stick together and remain on the walls of blood vessels. Tocopherol is useful for relaxing vascular muscles and their expansion. It affects the proper development of the nervous system, muscular system, liver and other organs in a child up to one year old.
In addition to the listed properties, we note that tocopherol strengthens the immune system, protects the body from infections, improves the regenerative ability of tissues, takes part in the production of hormones, reduces the body's fatigue, ensures normal blood clotting, and normalizes blood sugar levels. This is especially true for a child suffering from diabetes.

Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is one of the most valuable for normal metabolism and energy distribution, healthy body weight and growth, and physical activity of a child. In general, only 20-40% of vitamin E is absorbed from foods. That is why, especially if indicated, vitamin E is necessary for children as a food supplement.

Fat-soluble vitamin E promotes cell renewal in the body and prevents various inflammatory processes. It is one of the powerful antioxidants that accumulates and is stored in adipose tissue, promoting normal cardiac function and muscle development.

What foods can you get vitamin E from?

Although the human body better absorbs tocopherol from food of animal origin, it is most abundant in plant foods (in the form of tocopheryl quinone it is found in leaves, stems, and fruits). Here are the products it is present in, in descending order of content:

It should be taken into account that during heat treatment some of the vitamin is lost. In addition, it is sensitive to light and oxygen. This means that it can be difficult to get the required amount from regular food, especially if you are not a follower of a balanced diet.

Who especially needs vitamin E

According to reviews from parents, pediatricians quite often prescribe tocopherol along with vitamins A and C for frequently ill children. This is an effective antioxidant group to enhance immunity. This combination is especially recommended for the treatment of body weight deficiency at an early age.

You can give your baby tocopherol preparations only after consultation with a pediatrician, since many pharmaceuticals in this category are recommended for children of school age. It is important to follow the dosage, especially for newborns. Among the side effects in case of overdose:

• visual impairment;
• hormonal disorders;
• the appearance of migraines;
• stomach upset;
• nausea;
• general weakness.

Obstetrician-gynecologist, researcher Elena Berezovskaya, head of the International Academy of Healthy Life, expresses her opinion on the lack of vitamin E, which is especially typical for the following categories of children.

• Premature newborns(especially those weighing less than 1500 g), since they have not developed the process of digesting fats. In such babies, tocopherol deficiency manifests itself in damage to the retina or infectious diseases.
• Children with congenital feeding disorders- some diseases associated with impaired absorption of fats (cystic fibrosis). These are also diseases of the nervous system, retina, muscle pathologies, immune system, and genetic abnormalities. For children, water-soluble (synthetic) forms of tocopherol can be prescribed as treatment.
• Children with gastrointestinal diseases associated with malabsorption of nutrients (intestinal malabsorption).

According to Elena Berezovskaya, other categories of children under normal living conditions rarely become “victims” of a lack of vitamins - most often, a poor diet that contains critically few vegetables and vegetable fats is “to blame.”

Release forms

In any pharmacy you can find tocopherol in the form of capsules, chewable lozenges, and liquid form. Vitamin E for children in drops (oil solution) is suitable for infants from birth. Its daily value in milligrams is 3.0 at the age of up to 6 months, which is 5 drops per day. After 6 months and up to 3 years, the daily rate should be 4.0 mg. The drug must be given to the child before feeding.

Vitamin E for children in capsules or in the form of chewable lozenges can be used starting from the age of 6, but only under the supervision of a specialist! Please note that many pharmaceutical tocopherol preparations contain warnings in the annotations: “do not use without a doctor’s prescription” or “not recommended for children under 12 (14) years of age.”

The doctor can prescribe the drug after an examination. It may be necessary to take blood and urine tests, since external “signals” - poor appetite or sleep, dry skin, excitability, frequent infections - are indirect signs of hypovitaminosis and do not always indicate a lack of vitamin E.

The specialist must take into account a number of factors:

• individual characteristics of the child;
• full term;
• body mass;
• the presence of anemia or genetic blood diseases;
• presence of eye pathologies;
• features of feeding (natural, artificial);
• indicators of phosphorus-calcium metabolism in the child’s body;
• condition of the fontanelles on the baby's head - uncontrolled intake of vitamin E can lead to early closure of the fontanelles, which will have a negative impact on brain development.

Children certainly need vitamins for healthy development. Here are the instructions for daily consumption: vitamin E for children under one year of age is required in an amount of 0.5 mg per 1 kg of weight. For diseases - for example, hemolytic anemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, malnutrition - the dosage can be increased, but, again, it can only be determined by a doctor.

Attention: you should not take iron-containing preparations together with vitamin E, as they neutralize each other. It is necessary to wait at least 2 hours between taking them.

Experts are confident that a baby’s daily requirement for vitamin E is fully met thanks to mother’s milk (it is called a “natural multivitamin”) - of course, provided that the mother has adequate nutrition. High-quality milk formulas for artificial feeding are also fortified. In most cases, if your baby is healthy, it is enough to review the diet and add more healthy foods to the menu.

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Why does a newborn need vitamin E?

Why does the body need tocopherol:

• The baby is given medications with tocopherol to normalize muscle tone and proper bone formation.
• Tocopherol prevents anemia and improves blood circulation.
• Necessary for the proper development and functioning of the endocrine system: promotes weight gain, hormone synthesis, absorption of proteins and vitamin A (retinol).
• Strengthens the child's immunity, prevents inflammatory processes.
• Improves nutrition of nerve tissue and brain.
• It is a natural antioxidant and accelerates regeneration processes.

Important! For infants, tocopherol is used only after consultation with a pediatrician and in the absence of contraindications

Vitamin E for newborns is prescribed in a dosage of 2 mg. Babies up to one year old are allowed a dosage of 3 mg. At the age of 1-3 years, patients take 6-7 mg.

Manifestations and consequences of vitamin E deficiency in infants

If vitamin E is not supplied in the required quantity during breastfeeding (BF) or with artificial formulas, this is manifested by the following symptoms:

• The child's appetite worsens, growth and weight gain slow down.
• Physiological reflexes slow down.
• Coordination of movement may be impaired, the skin flakes and becomes dry.
• Immunity decreases, and after illness the baby takes longer to recover.
• Muscle weakness.
• Deterioration of vision.
• Lack of tocopherol can also affect the digestive system: stool disorders, nausea, and inflammation of organs are observed.
• Hemolytic anemia (especially in premature babies).
• Absorption of fats may be impaired.

A specialist should prescribe the dosage, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby, body weight, the presence of congenital diseases, and full term. It is also necessary to pay attention to the indicators of phosphorus and calcium metabolism in the body.

Indications for taking medications with vitamin E

Not every child needs loading doses of tocopherol. Those at risk for deficiency of this vitamin include:

• Premature babies (especially those weighing up to 1.5 kilograms). They have not developed the process of fat absorption. Due to tocopherol deficiency, children often get sick, and irreversible damage to the retina can occur.
• If there are congenital nutritional disorders, diseases of the muscles, nervous and immune systems. If a baby has cystic fibrosis, cystic fibrosis or other diseases that prevent the absorption of fats, they are given a synthetic water-soluble form of the vitamin.
• Malnutrition. If the mother eats poorly and incorrectly, she does not receive enough tocopherol from foods. Accordingly, the baby also suffers.
• Vitamin E can be prescribed to children during the rehabilitation period after serious illnesses.
• It can be recommended for use in courses if the child lives in regions with poor environmental conditions.

Important! The daily dose is also calculated according to the formula: for children under one year old - 0.5 mg of vitamin E per kg of weight, over one year old - 0.3 mg per kg

Instructions for use

Features of the use of 10 percent vitamin E for newborns in drops are as follows:

• Administer orally, after mixing the product with boiled water. You can use either a regular teaspoon or a pipette.
• It is better to give your baby the vitamin in the first half of the day - it is better absorbed.
• The instructions for use state that vitamin E is compatible with vitamin A, but incompatible with iron. Before giving the drug, it should be carefully studied. It is better to give tocopherol 2 hours after the child has eaten.

There are different forms of the vitamin on sale: lozenges, capsules, oil and water solutions. Tocopherol acetate solutions in a small dosage (10%) are recommended for newborns.

Contraindications and side effects

This drug has the following contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to the main components.
• Congenital heart defects, including the proliferation of connective tissue in the myocardium.
• Blood clotting disorders.
• Hypoprothrombinemia.

You should not abuse vitamin preparations. Of course, an extra drop of tocopherol will not cause much harm to the body, but if the dosage is systematically exceeded, the consequences can be severe. The baby may experience bleeding, metabolism, and the functions of internal organs may be disrupted. In severe cases, necrotizing enterocolitis develops.

It is important to be vigilant if you experience the following symptoms:

• General weakness, lethargy, moodiness.
• Vision disorders.
• The appearance of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea.
• Allergic rashes.
• Sleep disorders.

You should stop taking the drug and contact your pediatrician. As a rule, no special treatment is required, only systematic treatment.

Vitamin E for mother while breastfeeding

The ideal option is if a nursing mother receives tocopherol from food. Vitamin E is rich in vegetable oil (sunflower, cottonseed, flaxseed, corn), nuts, legumes, and some green vegetables. A small amount of tocopherol is found in eggs, meat, and dairy products.

You can take vitamin E as part of multivitamin complexes for nursing mothers (Femibion, Elevit, Vitrum, Complivit Mama, etc.). Nursing mothers need to receive 15 mg of tocopherol per day.

Doctor's advice! You need to take vitamins strictly according to the instructions. In case of allergies in the mother (itching, swelling, urticaria) or the baby (colic, diathesis, seborrhea), stop taking it!

Tocopherol is one of the compounds that are vital for the growing body. It doesn’t matter what age group the child belongs to, it is important that he needs this substance for normal development, both physical and mental. Vitamin E for children is available in food products, as well as in medications sold in pharmacies. Despite its availability, you should not self-prescribe. Before starting use, it is important to consult a pediatrician or specialist of a more specialized profile.

Properties of matter

Many adults wonder how tocopherol is useful in childhood. The effects of this fat-soluble substance are:

• having an antioxidant effect, which prevents the development of inflammation, accelerates wound healing, and protects tissue cells from possible damage;
• improving the functioning of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems;
• taking direct part in the processes of oxidation and coagulation of genetic material;
• maintaining the body's defenses;
• reducing the risk of destruction of erythroid cells;
• strengthening muscles;
• accelerating the process of tissue regeneration after receiving various types of damage.

Considering the wide range of effects of tocopherol on the human body, we can conclude that this substance is indispensable for children. It is important to remember that the correct calculation of its dosage is necessary.

The need for it in children

The daily requirement of vitamin E required by a child for his normal development is determined by the age group to which he belongs. For example, under the age of one year, babies need 3 mg of the substance per day. From one to two years, the dosage increases to 6 mg daily, from 3 to 10 years – to 7 mg. Girls going through puberty need 8 mg of tocopherol, while boys need 10 mg.

In addition, there are certain groups of children who need this fat-soluble compound more than others. These include:

• newborns born as a result of premature birth - due to the fact that their internal systems have not been fully formed, the process of absorption of fatty compounds is disrupted. Also, a deficiency of vitamin substances can lead to retinal detachment and various infectious diseases;
• children with congenital pathologies that do not allow their body to fully absorb fats;
• children with problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is known that the prescription of drugs containing vitamin E is primarily based on the diagnosis that appears in the child’s medical history. It will depend on it in what form the vitamin substance should be supplied to the growing body. For this reason, it is extremely important to first consult with a doctor, and then begin to adjust the baby’s diet or purchase medications.

Vitamin E fortified foods

It is quite difficult for an infant to choose medications, and it is extremely undesirable to advise him to diversify his diet until he reaches a certain age. For this reason, the mother should adjust her menu so that the maximum of nutrients reaches the baby along with her milk. If the baby is bottle-fed, it is worth choosing formulas enriched with tocopherol.

Older children and nursing women in the absence of allergies should include in their diet such foods as:

• nuts, peanut oil;
• vegetable oils that have not undergone refining;
• red fish;
• potatoes;
• eggs;
• apples;
• dairy products, for example, cottage cheese and sour cream;
• dried apricots;
• apricots;
• beef;
• beef liver;
• legumes.

Do not forget that many products lose a number of their beneficial properties after heat treatment. For this reason, it is important to follow the basic rules for preparing meat and vegetable dishes.

Pharmacy drugs

Vitamin E is included in both single-component and multicomponent preparations. It can be of natural origin, or it can be considered synthetic. Naturally, the effectiveness of the latter is much lower.

Varieties, release form

Medicines intended for children are available in various forms. They are offered to customers in tablet, drip, capsule, and syrup forms. Infants are usually prescribed oily solutions, drops, as they are absorbed faster. Chewable lozenges and capsules are best given to children over the age of six. If the baby is often sick for a long time, it is best to resort to complex preparations containing vitamin E. These include:

• " " and others.

Indications for use

Single-component products containing tocopherol are prescribed only by a specialist after he has identified a lack of this substance in the growing body. Without studying the instructions for use, you should not start using the drugs, no matter in what form they may be. If the vitamin substance is one of the components of multivitamin products, it is better to give them to the baby when:

• increased pain;
• lack of weight (most often found in infants);
• improperly organized diet;
• constant heavy physical and mental stress;
• strengthening the body after severe illnesses;
• development of a state of overfatigue;
• staying in places with unfavorable environmental conditions.

Contraindications

Contraindications for babies starting to take tocopherol are:

• allergy to the substance, other elements of multicomponent drugs;
• development of iron deficiency anemia;
• disruption of the coagulation process of genetic material.

It is extremely important to trust specialists and not to refuse to use various complexes and drugs according to the instructions, since their improper use can cause a deterioration in the baby’s condition.

How to use?

Drop solutions are dosed with pipettes. Capsules and chewable lozenges are given to children during meals. Considering the fact that almost all substances are better absorbed in the first half of the day, it is worth giving your kids vitamins during breakfast.

What to do in case of overdose?

The main symptoms of vitamin E overdose are:

• pain in the head area;
• disruption of the functioning of the digestive system;
• feeling of weakness;
• dysfunction of the visual organs;
• development of hormonal disorders.

If you have at least one of the symptoms, you should stop taking the drug and consult a specialist. If we are talking about a baby, you should pay attention to his capriciousness, tearfulness, and atypical behavior. If necessary, specialists prescribe symptomatic therapy.