Effects of supplementing multivitamins on the growth and development of children / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of supplementing multivitamins on the growth and development of children. Methods: A total of 24 000 children (6 8 years old) from Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou were divided into 2 groups. One group was given multivitamin tablets and another was without any treatment for 12 weeks. Each tablet contains VA 5 000 IU, VD 400 IU,VE 30 IU,VB 1 1.5 mg,VB 2 1.7 mg,niacin 20 mg,VB 6 2 mg,VB 12 6 ?g,folic acid 0.4 mg and VC 60 mg. Height, body weight, skinfold thickness, mid arm muscle circumference and serum VA, 25 OHD 3, Hb, IgA,IgG and IgM were measured before and after supplementing multivitamins.VB 1, VB 2 and VC were evaluated by four hours loading test. Results: It was found that vitamin deficiencies, especially that of VA, VB 2 and VB 1, existed in the children. After supplement, the net increase of height and weight was significantly higher than that of control group. Levels of serum VA, 25 OHD 3 and Hb in supplemented group were significantly increased and the urinary excretion of VB 1, VB 2 and VC was also significantly increased in supplemented group. Conclusion: The results indicate that the multivitamins is conductive to improvement of vitamin status and nutritional anemia, and to growth and development. It is necessary for children with routine diet to supplement multivitamins. [