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Vitamin C as a preventive medicine against common colds in children
Insights
This study investigated if daily vitamin C supplements could prevent common colds in children. Results showed no definite proof that vitamin C prevents colds, though it might reduce cold duration and severity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- The common cold is a frequent illness in children.
- Vitamin C is often anecdotally used to prevent or treat colds.
- Previous studies on vitamin C for colds in children have yielded mixed results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prophylactic effect of 1000 mg of daily vitamin C on common colds in children aged 8-9.
- To assess the impact of vitamin C on cold incidence, duration, and severity.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind pilot study was conducted on 172 children.
- A larger main study followed with 642 children of the same age group.
- Both studies utilized similar protocols over 7 weeks (pilot) and 3 months (main study).
Main Results:
- The incidence of colds remained unaltered or increased in the vitamin C group.
- Cold duration and severity appeared reduced in some cases, but not consistently across both studies.
- The total days of upper respiratory tract infection were only reduced in the pilot study, not the main study.
- No significant biochemical effects of vitamin C were observed.
Conclusions:
- Preventive treatment with high-dose vitamin C in healthy children showed no definite prophylactic effect against common colds.
- While potential minor benefits in reducing cold duration or severity were suggested, they were not consistently proven.
- Further research may be needed to explore specific contexts or biochemical pathways, but current evidence does not support widespread use of vitamin C for cold prevention in this age group.
Abstract:
During 7 weeks in the spring of 1973 a double-blind pilot study on 172 children in the age group 8-9 was carried out to test the possible effect of 1000 mg vitamin C daily as a prophylactic agent against common colds. During the autumn of 1973, a main study was carried out on 642 children of the same age. The investigations had the same pattern and lasted for 3 months. Both studies have been processed on the same principles. The results were somewhat divergent but, like previously published studies on children, seemed to indicate that the duration and severity of the cold were reduced while, on the other hand, the incidence remained unaltered or indeed increased. The total number of days of upper respiratory tract infection was smaller for the vitamin C group only in the pilot study (not in the main study). No proven biochemical effects were obtained. Preventive treatment of healthy children with vitamin C in large doses this had no definitely proved effect against colds.