Carotenemia in mentally retarded children. I. Incidence and etiology
Patel, H.; Dunn, H.G.; Tischer, B.; McBurney, A.K.; Hach, E.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 108(7): 848-852
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 4707231 Document Number: 62226
The incidence and etiology of carotenemia in mentally retarded children were examined. Fasting serum carotenoid and vitamin A levels were measured in 77 profoundly mentally retarded children aged 3 to 19 years who were receiving a standard diet containing 2000 IU of carotene (expressed in terms of vitamin A activity) and supplemented by 2000 IU of vitamin A daily. Seventeen of the 77 patients had serum carotenoid levels of more than 300 mug./ml. The particulate size of food had a significant inverse relationship to serum carotenoid levels and was an important factor in determining carotenemia. The serum vitamin A level was also higher in children on homogenized diet than in those on pureed feeds, while the lowest level was noted among patients on a chopped diet. Besides particulate size of food, other factors may also be operative in determining carotenemia.