Vitamin C Deficiency in Critically Ill Children: Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the presence of vitamin C deficiency in critically ill children admitted to the PICU.

DESIGN

Single-center prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

A 28-bed PICU and a pediatric outpatient sedation room of a tertiary-care teaching hospital.

PATIENTS: Two pediatric patient groups 0-21 years old were studied: a PICU group and a group receiving deep sedation for elective outpatient procedures (noncritical care group).

INTERVENTIONS: Vitamin C level was drawn for the PICU group within 24 hours of admission. Vitamin C level was drawn prior to start of deep sedation for the noncritical group.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN

RESULTS

Vitamin C deficiency was present in 11/60 (18%) in the PICU group and 0/21 (0%) of the noncritical group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin C deficiency was prevalent in our patients admitted to PICU.