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[Vitamin E concentration in children with proteino-energetic malnutrition]
Insights
Malnourished infants often have low plasma vitamin E levels, with few reaching acceptable concentrations. This study found no link between low vitamin E and red blood cell fragments or hemoglobin in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
Context:
- Malnutrition significantly impacts infant health and development.
- Vitamin E is a crucial fat-soluble antioxidant essential for cellular integrity.
- Low vitamin E levels are a concern in vulnerable infant populations.
Purpose:
- To assess plasma vitamin E concentrations in malnourished infants.
- To investigate the potential relationship between low vitamin E and red blood cell parameters.
Summary:
- Forty-eight malnourished infants were evaluated for plasma vitamin E.
- Mean vitamin E level was 0.41 mg/dL, with only 4 children above 0.70 mg/dL.
- In a subset of 24 infants, low vitamin E was not associated with red cell fragments or hemoglobin levels.
Impact:
- Highlights the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency in malnourished infants.
- Suggests that red cell fragmentation or low hemoglobin may not be direct consequences of low vitamin E in this cohort.
- Informs nutritional support strategies and further research into vitamin E's role in infant health.
Abstract:
Fourty eight malnourished infants were studied in regard to plasma vitamin E levels. The mean plasma vitamin E concentration was 0.41 mg/dL (+/- 0.20); the values ranged from less than 0.10 to 0.96. Only 4 children had an acceptable level of this vitamin (greater than 0.70 mg/dL). The possible interrelationship of vitamin E and red cell fragments in blood was investigated in 24 of the children. The data obtained do not suggest that a low plasmatic vitamin E level is not related to either, red cell fragmented or hemoglobin level.