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Vitamin B6 in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of children

Monique Albersen1, Marjolein Bosma1, Judith J M Jans1

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Plos One
|March 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study measured vitamin B6 vitamer levels in children with intellectual disability, finding differences between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These findings aid in diagnosing vitamin B6 metabolism disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Vitamin B6 is crucial for brain development and function.
  • Genetic disorders causing vitamin B6 deficiency are known.
  • Limited data exists on vitamin B6 vitamer levels in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine B6 vitamer concentrations in plasma and CSF of children with intellectual disability.
  • To investigate the influence of sex, age, epilepsy, and anti-epileptic drug treatment.
  • To establish reference values for B6 vitamers in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry used for B6 vitamer analysis.
  • Simultaneous plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling from 70 children with intellectual disability.
  • Investigated correlations between B6 vitamers and clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • Plasma and CSF showed distinct B6 vitamer compositions (PLP > pyridoxic acid > PL in plasma; PL > PLP > pyridoxic acid > pyridoxamine in CSF).
  • Strong correlations observed for B6 vitamers within and between plasma and CSF.
  • Anti-epileptic drug treatment correlated with reduced PL and PLP levels in CSF.

Conclusions:

  • Provides normative B6 vitamer concentrations in pediatric plasma and CSF.
  • Useful for investigating vitamin B6 metabolism disorders in children.
  • Aids in monitoring the biochemical impact of vitamin B6 treatments.
Abstract

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