An excess of which vitamin can cause hemolytic anemia and jaundice in newborns?

An excess of which vitamin can cause hemolytic anemia and jaundice in newborns?

• A. Vitamin D
• B. Vitamin K
• C. Vitamin C
• D. Vitamin E

Answer: (B)

The presence of hemolytic anemia and jaundice in newborns due to vitamin excess is indicative of excessive vitamin E intake. Vitamin E, particularly in high doses, can have a pro-oxidant effect, which leads to oxidative damage to red blood cells, resulting in hemolysis. This, in turn, causes the release of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice. In newborns, the immature hepatic function and limited antioxidant defenses make them particularly vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress from excessive vitamin E. While the other vitamins listed have important functions in the body and can lead to various issues if deficient, they are not associated with hemolytic anemia and jaundice in the same manner as vitamin E. Thus, an understanding of the biochemical effects of vitamins and the specifics of newborn metabolism elucidates why high levels of vitamin E lead to these clinical manifestations.

The presence of hemolytic anemia and jaundice in newborns due to vitamin excess is indicative of excessive vitamin E intake. Vitamin E, particularly in high doses, can have a pro-oxidant effect, which leads to oxidative damage to red blood cells, resulting in hemolysis. This, in turn, causes the release of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice.

In newborns, the immature hepatic function and limited antioxidant defenses make them particularly vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress from excessive vitamin E. While the other vitamins listed have important functions in the body and can lead to various issues if deficient, they are not associated with hemolytic anemia and jaundice in the same manner as vitamin E. Thus, an understanding of the biochemical effects of vitamins and the specifics of newborn metabolism elucidates why high levels of vitamin E lead to these clinical manifestations.