SUPPLEMENTATION WITH WEST INDIAN CHERRY AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE BLOOD LEVELS OF VITAMIN C AND HEMOGLOBIN IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

• Autor(a) principal: de Carvalho COSTA, Maria José
• Data de Publicação: 2001
• Outros Autores: de Queiroga TERTO, Aline Lacerda, Pacheco SANTOS, Leonor Maria, Amado RIVERA, Maria Amélia, Ascciuti MOURA, Luiza Sônia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Nutrição
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/8944
• topic: acerola; vitamin C; hemoglobin; child; preschool; acerola; vitamina C; hemoglobina; pré-escolar

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency among 104 preschool children, aged 2 to 6 years, enrolled at municipal day-care centers in João Pessoa, PB, Brazil, and to test the efficacy of supplementing their diet with West Indian Cherry. Determinations of serum vitamin C and blood hemoglobin were carried out before and after supplementation. First results showed 69.2% of prevalence of vitamin C deficiency (<0.80 mg/dL) and 35.7% of children with hemoglobin levelsindicative of anemia (Hb <11.0 mg/dL); these two indicators were found to be associated (p < 0.01). Seventy-two children with low levels of vitamin C were offered, during 35 days, 150 mL of West Indian Cherry juice (mean content 565 mg of ascorbic acid/100 mL). Comparison of vitamin C levels before and after supplementation (0.52 + 0.20 mg/dL and 1.43 + 0.43 mg/dL respectively ) showed asignificant difference (p<0.001). There was also a significant increase on the mean of hemoglobin concentration, which from 11.17+ 1.46 g/dL rose to 12.22 + 1.52 g/dL after the intervention (p<0.001). Considering the results presented here and the availability of the cherries at low cost in the region, this fruit juice should be included in all feeding programs for populations at risk of anemia.