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Abstract
Infants, especially those born preterm or at low birth weight, have low vitamin E levels, increasing their risk for complications. Because maternal supplementation does not raise fetal vitamin E stores, placental metabolism may limit transfer. This study measured tocopherols and vitamin E metabolites in 15 maternal–cord blood pairs to assess placental handling. Cord tocopherol levels and tocopherol‑to‑lipid ratios were significantly lower than maternal levels, while metabolite‑to‑tocopherol ratios were higher. Higher maternal vitamin E intake correlated with increased cord metabolites, suggesting enhanced placental metabolism. Findings support the idea that placental processing restricts fetal vitamin E accumulation.