Effect of Pyridoxine Administration on the Urinary Excretion of Oxalic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Related Compounds in Mongoloids and Nonmongoloids

Abstract

The excretion of various metabolites by mongoloid and nonmongoloid mentally deficient patients has been studied prior to and following the oral administration of pyridoxine and folic acid. The excretion of oxalic acid by both groups was markedly reduced by pyridoxine administration although the subjects had been receiving a diet apparently adequate in vitamin B₆. Following pyridoxine administration, mongoloids excreted more pyridoxic acid and less vitamin B₆ than did nonmongoloids. No significant differences in folic acid excretion were observed in the two groups studied.