VITAMIN C STATUS IN ALLERGIC CHILDREN

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess vitamin C status in allergic children. Twenty-six allergic patients and 46 apparently healthy controls aged 7-16 years of both sexes were introduced. All patients were diagnosed being allergic based on their histories, physical examinations and laboratory findings. Blood samples were obtained between 09.00-11.00 to determine total serum immunoglobulin E, histamine, plasma vitamin C and complete blood cell count. Stool examinations and urinealysis were also done. Although total serum immunoglobulin E levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls, the serum histamine and plasma vitamin C levels showed no significant difference between the two groups. Surprisingly, patients with allergic dermatitis and food allergy had significantly lower plasma vitamin C levels than patients with asthma and rhinitis. Also, female patients tended to have higher plasma vitamin C but lower total serum immunoglobulin E levels compared to the male patients but none of these differences were significant. Healthy boys, on the other hand, had significantly higher plasma vitamin C than healthy girls. Our findings did not confirm the previous reports which showed decreased plasma vitamin C levels in allergic patients. We concluded that the plasma vitamin C levels in different allergies might be infuenced by such factors, such as sex, type and the stage of allergic disease, besides those affecting intake.