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Leucocyte ascorbic acid levels in Nigerian children with protein-energy malnutrition
Insights
Ascorbic acid deficiency is not common in Nigerian children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM). This study found normal leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) levels, suggesting it doesn't typically cause anemia or megaloblastic changes in this population.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
Background:
- Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant health concern in children.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) plays a crucial role in various physiological processes.
- The nutritional status of children in Lagos, Nigeria, requires ongoing assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the ascorbic acid status in Nigerian infants and preschool children suffering from PEM.
- To investigate the relationship between leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) levels and the severity of malnutrition.
- To assess the contribution of ascorbic acid deficiency to anemia and megaloblastic changes in PEM.
Main Methods:
- Estimation of leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) levels in 26 Nigerian children with PEM (kwashiorkor, marasmus, marasmic kwashiorkor).
- Comparison of LAA levels with 26 age-matched healthy controls.
- Examination of bone marrow for megaloblastic changes in 14 malnourished children.
Main Results:
- Mean LAA levels in malnourished children (13.7 µg/10⁸ leucocytes) were not significantly different from controls (14.4 µg/10⁸ leucocytes).
- LAA levels showed no significant correlation with the presence or absence of megaloblastic changes.
- Ascorbic acid deficiency was not found to be prevalent in the studied pediatric population with PEM.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid deficiency is not a common issue among children with PEM in Lagos.
- It is unlikely that ascorbic acid deficiency significantly contributes to anemia or megaloblastic changes observed in Nigerian children with PEM in this region.
Abstract:
Leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) levels were estimated in 26 Nigerian infants and preschool children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in order to ascertain their ascorbic acid status. The children included eight with kwashiorkor, 12 with marasmus and six with marasmic kwashiorkor. The mean (SD) LAA level of 13.7 (8.2) micrograms/10(8) leucocytes in the malnourished children did not vary significantly from the mean level of 14.4 (8.8) micrograms/10(8) leucocytes found in 26 age-matched controls, and the values were unrelated to the presence or absence of megaloblastic change in the 14 bone marrows examined. It was concluded that ascorbic acid deficiency was not prevalent amongst children with PEM in Lagos, and was therefore not usually contributory to the anaemia, megaloblastic changes or other features of the syndrome seen in Nigerian children in Lagos.