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Plasmatic values of some antioxidant vitamins on healthy children
1Institute of General Physiology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Serum analysis in 60 healthy children revealed that vitamin A and vitamin E levels increase with age. Beta-carotene levels rose significantly in children aged 7-12 years, indicating age-related nutritional changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Understanding micronutrient status in children is crucial for growth and development.
- Factors like age, sex, and diet influence vitamin and cholesterol levels.
- Limited data exists on serum vitamin A, E, beta-carotene, and cholesterol in healthy Italian children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and cholesterol in healthy Italian children.
- To investigate the influence of age and sex on these serum parameters.
- To explore correlations between different micronutrients and cholesterol.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy children (33 female, 27 male) aged 1-16 years in Rome, Italy.
- Analysis included quantification of serum vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and total cholesterol.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences based on sex and age, and to identify correlations.
Main Results:
- Mean serum beta-carotene was 37.2 ± 12.3 µg/dl and vitamin E was 0.83 ± 0.25 µg/dl.
- Serum vitamin A and vitamin E levels showed a positive correlation with age.
- Beta-carotene levels significantly increased from age 7 to 12 years and remained stable thereafter. No significant sex differences were observed for most micronutrients, and cholesterol levels were consistent across groups.
Conclusions:
- Serum vitamin A and E levels increase with age in healthy children.
- Beta-carotene shows a distinct age-related pattern, increasing significantly during pre-adolescence.
- Vitamin E levels are strongly correlated with total cholesterol, suggesting a potential link in lipid metabolism or transport.
Abstract:
The serum of 60 healthy children aged 1-16 years was analysed for vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene and cholesterol contents. The study group consisted in 33 females and 27 males, living in the area of Rome, Italy. The mean serum values are 37.2 +/- 12.3 micrograms/dl for beta-carotene and 0.83 +/- 0.25 micrograms/dl for vitamin E. According to sex distribution, mean values of studied micronutrients levels are higher in boys than in girls, but not significantly. The cholesterol does not show alterations among the different groups in relation to sex or age. Vitamin A and vitamin E serum levels increased with age. Vitamin E level is strongly correlated with total cholesterol serum value. The beta-carotene increases significantly in the age group from 7 to 12 years and this value holds then steady until the age of 16.