Dehydrated pumpkin flakes for preventing vitamin A deficiency in preschoolers attending a daycare
Keywords:
Carotenoids, Cucurbita, Avitaminosis, Dehydrated flakes, Serum retinolAbstract
Objective
This study assessed the effectiveness of dehydrated pumpkin flakes for elevating serum retinol and the relative
dose response in preschoolers.
Methods
Vitamin A intake was determined by dietary survey. The flakes were analyzed microbiologically and for carotenoid
content. The children were then given 6 grams of flakes per day during lunch for 90 days. The relative dose response essay was done at baseline and end of intervention. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, 30 and 90 days to determine serum retinol levels by spectrophotometry.
Results
Microbiological analyses showed that the flakes were suitable for consumption. The mean serum retinol level
of the children increased from M=1.438 (SD=0.45μmol/L) at baseline to M=1.659 (SD=0.51μmol/L) at 30 days
and M=1.928 (SD=0.70μmol/L) at 90 days. At the beginning of the study, 18.5% of the children had serum
retinol levels below 1.05μmol/L. This percentage dropped to 7.6% after 30 days and 0% after 90 days. At the
end of the study period (90 days), no child had a positive relative dose response.
Conclusion
Pumpkin flakes efficiently increase serum retinol levels and hepatic vitamin A reserves in preschoolers.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Carmem Lygia Burgos AMBRÓSIO, Florisbela de Arruda Camara e Siqueira CAMPOS, Zelyta Pinheiro de FARO, Hernando FLORES (in memoriam), Maria Helena de Castro CHAGAS, Raquel Araújo de SANTANA
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