Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins in sicklers and non-sicklers in Sokoto Metropolis' children

Abstract

The serum concentrations of vitamins A (retinol), C (ascorbic acid) and E (alpha-tocopherol) of paediatric- age group were determined in sicklers and non-sicklers within the Sokoto metropolis. The levels of the antioxidant vitamins were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the sickler group when compared to that in non-sicklers. In all cases the concentrations of the antioxidant vitamins were significantly depressed in children with sickle-cell anaemia. The depletion in the levels of the three-antioxidant vitamins may probably account for some of the observed clinical manifestations of sickle-cell anaemia. This shall be the subject of our future investigation(s).


Key Words: Sicklers, Non- sicklers, Serum Vitamin A, Serum Vitamin C, Serum Vitamin E.


Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(2) 2003: 53-57