Related Experiment Videos
Ascorbic acid and fractures in children with myelomeningocele
Insights
Ascorbic acid intake was evaluated in children with myelomeningocele. High intake was common, but no link was found between ascorbic acid levels and fractures, advising against supplementation for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Metabolic Disorders
- Orthopedic Health
Background:
- Myelomeningocele is a complex congenital condition affecting children.
- Nutritional status, including vitamin intake, is crucial for managing chronic pediatric conditions.
- Fracture risk is a concern in children with mobility impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess ascorbic acid intake in children with myelomeningocele.
- To compare ascorbic acid intake between fracture and non-fracture patient groups.
- To determine if ascorbic acid intake correlates with fracture incidence in this population.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated ascorbic acid intake (food-plus-supplement, food-only, supplement-only) in 67 myelomeningocele patients (ages 1-8).
- Compared intake levels against recommended dietary allowances.
- Analyzed data based on fracture status (fracture vs. non-fracture groups).
Main Results:
- Most patients exceeded recommended ascorbic acid allowances from food and/or supplements.
- No significant difference in ascorbic acid intake was observed between fracture and non-fracture groups.
- A high percentage of patients consumed more than the recommended intake, particularly from food-plus-supplement and supplement-only sources.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid supplementation is not recommended for fracture prevention in myelomeningocele patients.
- High ascorbic acid intake is prevalent in this cohort, regardless of fracture status.
- Potential risks of excessive ascorbic acid in growing children warrant careful consideration.
Abstract:
Ascorbic acid intake of sixty-seven patients with myelomeningocele, ages one through eight years, was evaluated in two groups, fracture and non-fracture, to compare their intake of ascorbic acid from food-plus-supplement, food-only, and supplement-only with the recommended allowances. Intake from food-plus-supplement exceeded the allowance for 90 per cent of the fracture and 83 per cent of the non-fractured patients. Intake from food-only exceeded the recommended allowance in 79 per cent of the fracture and 75 per cent of the non-fracture subjects. All supplementations exceeded 100 per cent of the recommended allowance. There was no significant difference in the ascorbic acid intakes of fracture and non-fracture patients. Since there was no apparent correlation between fractures and ascorbic acid intake, we do not recommend ascorbic acid supplementation to prevent fractures. If such high levels are suggested, the potentially harmful effects of excessive ascorbic acid in growing children must be carefully considered.