The effect of natural and artificial nutrition on vitamin C and e levels in the normal infant
Tláskal, P.; Nováková, V.
Ceskoslovenska Pediatrie 45(7): 402-407
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0069-2328 PMID: 2289268 Document Number: 351896
During the spring months the vitamin C and E serum levels were assessed in 44 normal infants. In addition the serum levels of vitamins C and E were assessed in 17 breastfed infants and their mothers. Low vitamin C levels were recorded in five infants (12.2%). Of these four were bottlefed and one infant had a mixed; mostly formula diet. Two infants with a low vitamin C level had fruit juices and strained fruit. All breastfed infants were well saturated with vitamin C despite the reduced vitamin C level of one nursing mother. Low vitamin E levels were found in two infants (4.5%). Both infants were under six weeks and were bottlefed. After supplementation of the diet with nonmilky products the vitamin E levels rose in breastfed as well as bottlefed children. In breastfed infants older than six weeks the vitamin E levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.001), as compared with bottlefed infants. The results of the investigation confirmed that only breastfeeding or well adapted cows milk formula ensure an adequate vitamin C and E level in normal infants.