American journal of diseases of children (1911)
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Twenty-five children with chronic constipation underwent serial monitoring of serum beta-carotene, retinol (vitamin A1), and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels during mineral oil therapy. Mineral oil was administered between meals. Patients were monitored for up to four months of therapy. ⋯ Serum alpha-tocopherol levels remained unchanged throughout the observation period. There was a modest increase in serum retinol levels during the study, especially after three months (from 1.48 +/- 0.84 mumol/L [42.3 +/- 24.1 micrograms/dL] to 2.22 +/- 0.77 mumol/L [63.5 +/- 22.1 micrograms/dL]). We conclude that while a short course of mineral oil can induce a reduction in the serum level of beta-carotene, the treatment has no adverse effect on serum levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol.