Vitamin B6 status of a group of preschool children

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Abstract
The vitamin B6 status of 35 preschool males and females was evaluated using plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels. The kilocalorie, protein, and vitamin B6 intakes were also estimated. Height and weight values of the three and four year old volunteers were within normal ranges. Seventeen percent of the children had estimated vitamin B6 intakes less than ⅔ of the RDA. The estimated B6 intakes and plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels of children who took vitamin supplements were significantly higher than values for subjects not taking supplements. The plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels of children reportedly consuming less than the RDA for vitamin B6 were significantly lower than those of subjects consuming higher levels. Of the children 9% seemed to have inadequate vitamin B6 status as indicated by their having plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels below 8.5 ng/ml.