Serum Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin, Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Alkaline Phosphatase Values in Central American School Children

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Abstract
Microchemical analyses of blood samples taken from school children in different surveys conducted in Central America give the averages for serum constituents shown in Table I. Comparison of the present results with similar studies in the United States indicates that in the Central American children studied, the serum ascorbic acid values were higher, the serum riboflavin and vitamin E values were in the same range, and the serum vitamin A and total carotenoids were lower. No elevated serum alkaline phosphatase values were encountered. In approximately 1,000 adults, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, total carotenoids and vitamin E levels were highest during the dry season, while riboflavin values tended to be highest during the rainy season.