Enzymatic evaluation of riboflavin status of infants
Bamji, M.S.; Chowdhury, N.; Ramalakshmi, B.A.; Jacob, C.M.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 45(6): 309-313
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 1915204 Document Number: 316489
Researchers compared the riboflavin status of 55 solely breast fed (SBF) 1-6 month old infants with 112 SBF, partially breast fed (PBF), or weaned 6-24 month old infants from low income families in India. They measured in vitro activation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase with its coenzyme FAD in blood samples from 6-12 month old infants and both the 1-6 month old infants and mothers to determine riboflavin status. They also analyzed the fore milk for riboflavin concentration. The riboflavin status of the 1-6 month old SBF infants was much greater than that of the mothers especially beginning with 3 month old infants (p.001-.02). Yet 35% of SBF 1-6 month old infants were biochemically deficient in riboflavin. In the 1st 2 months postpartum, however, the mothers had particularly good riboflavin status. The milk riboflavin level for SBF 1-6 month old infants peaked at 2 (26.9 mcg/dl) and 4 months (28.6 mcg/dl). It stood at 20 mcg/dl for 1 month old SBF infants. It fell from 18-14.3 mcg/dl between 5-6 months. The riboflavin status of 6-8 month old PBF infants stood greater than that of SBF 6-8 month old infants (p.001). Moreover 12 of the 29 (41%) 6-8 month old SBF infants were considered to be riboflavin deficient. No 6-8 month old infant was completely weaned. After 8 months, riboflavin status fell in PBF infants. In addition, the poorest infants (monthly family incomes of Rs500) had a much lower riboflavin status than the more privileged infants. The more privileged mothers (Rs 500) tended to begin supplemental feeding earlier than poorer mothers. The most significant finding was the beneficial effects of supplementary feeding on riboflavin status in 6-8 month old infants. Scientists suspect that riboflavin deficiency affects psychomotor functions and impairs collagen maturity and wound healing.