Objective To examine serum vitamin E levels in premature infants. Methods Serum concentrations of two isomers of vitamin E, α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol, were measured by electrochemistry in 16 premature infants and 16 full-term infants. Results Compared with term infants, the serum concentrations of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol in premature infants were significantly lower (217±120 ng/mL vs 411±284 ng/mL and 889±460 ng/mL vs 2 177±1 031 ng/mL, respectively, both P<0.05).Conclusions Premature infants have a much lower serum vitamin E level. Vitamin E supplementation is thus essential soon after birth.