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Vitamin B6 status of a group of preschool children
Insights
Many preschoolers have low vitamin B6 intake. Supplement use and higher dietary intake correlate with better vitamin B6 status, with 9% showing inadequate levels.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vitamin B6 is crucial for numerous metabolic processes.
- Assessing vitamin B6 status in young children is important for growth and development.
- Dietary intake and biochemical markers are key indicators of nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vitamin B6 status of preschool-aged children.
- To investigate the relationship between vitamin B6 intake, supplement use, and plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels.
- To identify the prevalence of inadequate vitamin B6 status in the study population.
Main Methods:
- Assessed vitamin B6 status using plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) levels.
- Estimated kilocalorie, protein, and vitamin B6 dietary intake.
- Compared PLP levels and intake based on supplement use and reported intake relative to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
Main Results:
- 17% of children had estimated vitamin B6 intakes below 2/3 of the RDA.
- Children taking vitamin supplements showed significantly higher B6 intake and PLP levels.
- Lower reported vitamin B6 intake correlated with significantly lower PLP levels.
- 9% of children exhibited inadequate vitamin B6 status (PLP < 8.5 ng/ml).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin B6 status in preschoolers is influenced by dietary intake and supplement use.
- A notable percentage of children may have insufficient vitamin B6 intake or status.
- Monitoring vitamin B6 status and intake is recommended for preschool populations.
Abstract:
The vitamin B6 status of 35 preschool males and females was evaluated using plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels. The kilocalorie, protein, and vitamin B6 intakes were also estimated. Height and weight values of the three and four year old volunteers were within normal ranges. Seventeen percent of the children had estimated vitamin B6 intakes less than 2/3 of RDA. The estimated B6 intakes and plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels of children who took vitamin supplements were significantly higher than values for subjects not taking supplements. The plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels of children reportedly consuming less than the RDA for vitamin B6 were significantly lower than those of subjects consuming higher levels. Of the children 9% seemed to have inadequate vitamin B6 status as indicated by their having plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels below 8.5 ng/ml.