Dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of vitamin C, selenium, and carotenoids of a group of preschool children

The vitamin C, selenium, and carotenoid intakes and the plasma concentrations of a group of apparently healthy preschool children living in Lincoln, Neb, were determined. Twenty-two 2- to 5-year-old children from 3 daycare centers served as subjects. Trained dietary interviewers obtained two 24-hour dietary recalls from parents and daycare providers. No significant differences by gender were observed for vitamin C and carotenoid intakes and plasma concentrations of vitamin C, selenium, and carotenoids. Mean intakes of the children were 48.1 mg/d for dietary vitamin C, 69.6 mg/d for dietary plus supplemental vitamin C, 55.2 μg/d for selenium, 147.2 μg/d for α-carotene, 678.0 μg/d for β-carotene, 28.3 μg/d for β-cryptoxanthin, 430.2 μg/d for lycopene, and 448.2 μg/d for lutein/zeaxanthin. Thirty-two percent of the subjects had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicative of inadequacy. All subjects had plasma selenium concentrations indicative of adequate selenium status. The findings of this study indicate that a national population-based study on the vitamin C requirements of young children is warranted.