STUDIES IN ASCORBIC ACID WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE WHITE LAYER. II. THE RELATION OF INTAKE TO BLOOD LEVELS IN NORMAL CHILDREN AND THE EFFECT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS 1

Abstract

Observations were made on the levels of ascorbic acid (method of Roe and Kuether) in the plasma and white layer of 76 normal children and 40 rheumatic patients. Of a total of 164 detns. in the normal group, 40 were made either during or within two wks. of intercurrent illness. Of 96 detns. in the rheumatic group, 18 were made during intercurrent illness and 19 during rheumatic activity. Vit. C intake was estimated from the consumption of citrus fruit and tomato only, with an additional 10 mg. assumed to be contributed by all other foods. In normal children, plasma levels were 0.1-2.1 mgm. % and white layer levels 8-54 mgm. % on intakes of 15 to 200 mg. a day. On habitual intakes of 25 mg. a day, the plasma levels were 0.4 mg. % or less, white layer levels 20 mg. % or less. On habitual daily intakes of 50-75 mg., the plasma levels were 0.7 mg. % or more, white layer levels 25 mg. % or more. On daily intakes of 200 to 600 mg. (9 mg./kg. body wt. or more) most of the white layer levels were less than 25 mg. %, and 1/3 of the plasma levels were less than 1.4 mg. %. During the course of convalescence from intercurrent febrile illness, intakes of 100 to 200 mg. a flay were necessary to maintain white layer levels of 25 mg. % or more. Blood levels in rheumatic subjects did not differ from those found in comparable non-rheumatic subjects on the same intakes.