Every year, 15 million infants are born preterm (before 37 weeks), and this number is rising. Prematurity is the leading cause of infant death in the first 4 weeks of life and survival rates are very low in low-income settings.

Vitamin E is important for the health and well-being of preterm neonates. It is present at higher than usual levels in the breast milk of mothers who have given birth prematurely, and may be able to prevent or limit some of the health problems associated with preterm birth, such as anaemia due to haemorrhaging.

Studies have shown that giving vitamin E supplements to preterm infants can provide some benefits, but may also increase the risk of life-threatening infections, such as sepsis. Current evidence, therefore, does not support high-dose vitamin E supplementation to preterm infants.