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Haematologic response of anaemic preschool children to ascorbic acid supplementation
Insights
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation significantly improved hemoglobin and red blood cell morphology in anemic children on vegetarian diets. Controls receiving placebos showed no improvement, indicating vitamin C
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Anemia is prevalent in preschool children, particularly those on vegetarian diets.
- Vegetarian diets can be low in essential micronutrients like ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
- Ascorbic acid enhances iron absorption and is crucial for red blood cell formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on anemia in preschool children consuming vegetarian diets.
- To assess changes in hemoglobin levels and red blood cell morphology.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 54 anemic preschool children on vegetarian diets.
- The experimental group received 100 mg ascorbic acid twice daily for 60 days.
- The control group received sugar placebos; hemoglobin and red cell morphology were assessed before and after intervention.
Main Results:
- Children supplemented with ascorbic acid showed significant improvements in hemoglobin levels.
- Ascorbic acid intake also led to significant improvements in red blood cell morphology.
- No changes were observed in the control group receiving placebos.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid supplementation is effective in improving anemia and red blood cell health in preschool children with vegetarian diets.
- Low dietary intake of ascorbic acid may contribute to anemia in this population.
- Vitamin C supplementation can be a valuable intervention for pediatric anemia linked to dietary patterns.
Abstract:
Fifty-four anaemic preschool children, all consuming similar, purely vegetarian, diets were randomly divided equally into an experimental and a control group. The children in the experimental group received 100 mg ascorbic acid twice a day, with lunch and with dinner, for 60 days. The controls received sugar placebos. Initially and at the end of the intervention, haemoglobin (Hb) and red cell morphology were estimated in all children. The children who received ascorbic acid supplements showed a significant improvement in Hb level as well as in red cell morphology, while the controls showed no change. Chemical analysis of the diets of a subsample showed ascorbic acid intakes to be very low.