[Usual values of serum vitamin A using a modified fluorimetric method]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate determination of serum vitamin A (retinol) is crucial for assessing nutritional status and diagnosing deficiencies.
• Existing methods may require specialized equipment or extensive sample volumes, limiting accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel fluorimetric micromethod for serum vitamin A determination.
• To assess the accuracy, repeatability, and inter-series reproducibility of the proposed method.
• To establish normal serum vitamin A ranges for adults and analyze age-related variations in children.

Main Methods:

• A fluorimetric technique was employed for serum vitamin A quantification.
• Method validation included rigorous testing for repeatability and inter-series reproducibility.
• Accuracy was evaluated by comparing results with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) UV spectrophotometry method.

Main Results:

• The fluorimetric micromethod demonstrated high accuracy and reliability.
• Repeatability and inter-series reproducibility trials confirmed the method's consistency.
• Normal serum vitamin A values were established for adults, and age-specific variations were documented for children aged 10 months to 15 years.

Conclusions:

• The developed fluorimetric technique provides a precise and efficient means for serum vitamin A measurement.
• This method is suitable for routine clinical laboratory use, offering a valuable tool for nutritional status assessment.
• Establishing age-specific reference ranges enhances the clinical utility of vitamin A testing in pediatric populations.