Nutritional Status of Aircraft Workers in Southern California: II. Clinical and Laboratory Findings

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Abstract
1173 o employees of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation were examined for evidence of nutritional disease. The distribution of wt. to height and age was within standard range, the serum protein conc. was normal in every subject examined (195), nearly every subject showed thickening, opacity or localized elevation of the conjunctiva indicating vit. A deficiency, between 17 and 26% showed evidence of thiamin deficiency, 9% showed a seborrheic condition of the face or fissures of the lips or angles of the mouth indicative of riboflavin deficiency and 35% complained of ocular symptoms; every subject showed some degree of corneal vascularity associated with this condition, but only 2.1% showed evidence of severe niacin deficiency. 52% had a plasma ascorbic acid conc. below 0.6 mg. % while 32% were below 0.4 mg. %. Red cell counts and red cell vols. were normal or above in nearly all subjects but 11% had Hb values of less than 13.4 g./100 ml. and must be considered anemic. 63% had one or more colds in the preceding 3 mos., 40% complained of gastro-intestinal symptoms and 12% found their work excessively tiring. There were only 2 positive and 2 doubtful serological tests for syphilis in the entire group. These workers will receive certain nutritional supplements for at least a yr. and will be re-examined.