Plasma ascorbic acid levels in children with acute illness.

Abstract

Plasma ascorbic acid (AA) levels were estimated in 20 healthy and 80 sick children suffering from various forms of acute illness of less than one week’s duration. The mean plasma AA level in healthy children was 1.07±0.12 mg/dl. The levels were significantly lower in acute infective illness and where the diet preceding illness had inadequate vitamin C content. There was no significant correlation with malnutrition or anemia. Whether the addition of vitamin C supplements would expedite recovery from acute infective illness needs further evaluation.