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Observational Study
. 2022 May 1;23(5):395-398.
doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002914. Epub 2022 May 5.

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

Alireza Fathi  1   2 , Corcoran Downey  1 , Aida Rabiee Gohar  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

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

Alireza Fathi et al. Pediatr Crit Care Med. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.

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