Abstract

In an attempt to determine the vitamin C needs of young children, three boys of preschool age were given during twelve successive periods constant weighed diets differing from period to period only in the amount of ascorbic acid contained therein. A 5-day preliminary period for physiological adjustment preceded each two consecutive 5-day metabolism periods. During four periods, a part of the vitamin was supplied by a synthetic commercial preparation. Under the conditions of the investigation, urinary excretion of ascorbic acid paralleled the intake, notwithstanding the fact that retentions at certain levels of ingestion were considerably below the physiological optimum. Retentions of ascorbic acid paralleled the ingestions only up to 7.5 mg. or thereabout per kilogram. Higher ingestions (10 to 12 mg. per kilogram) were without influence on the retentions of the children studied. The highest retentions estimated either on the basis of weight (3.8 to 4.3 mg. per kilogram), or creatinine elimination (0.24 to 0.28 mg. per milligram of creatinine), were obtained with the youngest child, suggesting that there is a greater demand by younger tissue for more vitamin C. Comparable amounts of commercial ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid from foods resulted in similar retentions. The relation of ascorbic acid intake to excretion and retention is discussed.

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