PLASMATIC VALUES OF SOME ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS ON HEALTHY-CHILDREN

The serum of 60 healthy children aged 1-16 years was analysed for vita min A, vitamin E, beta-carotene and cholesterol contents. The study gr oup consisted in 33 females and 27 males, living in the area of Rome, Italy. The mean serum values are 37,2 +/- 12,3 mu g/dl for beta-carote ne and 0,83 +/- 0,25 mu g/dl for vitamin E. According to sex distribut ion, mean values of studied micronutrients levels are higher in boys t han in girls, but not significantly. The cholesterol does not show alt erations among the different groups in relation to sex or age. Vitamin A and vitamin E serum levels increased with age. Vitamin E level is s trongly correlated with total cholesterol serum value. The beta-carote ne increases significantly in the age group from 7 to 12 years and thi s value holds then steady until the age of 16.