ascorbic-acid and Child-Behavior-Disorders

The aim of this pre-birth cohort study was to examine the associations between maternal intake of vegetables, fruit, and antioxidants during pregnancy and behavioral problems in Japanese children 5 y of age.. Participants were 1199 mother-child pairs. Dietary intake was assessed using a diet history questionnaire. Emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems, as well as low prosocial behavior were assessed using the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adjustment was made for maternal age, gestation at baseline, region of residence, number of children, maternal and paternal education, household income, maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy, maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy, maternal smoking during pregnancy, child's birth weight, child's sex, breastfeeding duration, and smoking in the household during the child's first year of life.. Maternal intake of total vegetables and green and yellow vegetables during pregnancy was independently inversely associated with childhood low prosocial behavior. Maternal intake of other vegetables during pregnancy was independently inversely related to childhood hyperactivity problems and low prosocial behavior. Maternal intake of fruit and apples during pregnancy was independently inversely related to childhood hyperactivity problems. Maternal intake of citrus fruits during pregnancy was independently inversely related to childhood emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity problems. Maternal vitamin C intake during pregnancy was independently inversely associated with childhood conduct and hyperactivity problems and low prosocial behavior.. Maternal intake of vegetables, fruit, and vitamin C during pregnancy may be preventive against any of the behavioral problems assessed here except for peer problems in Japanese children 5 y of age.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Child Behavior; Child Behavior Disorders; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Diet; Diet Surveys; Eating; Female; Fruit; Humans; Japan; Male; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Problem Behavior; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vegetables; Vitamin E

The recent upsurge in megavitamin therapy raises questions about the role of vitamin deficiencies and dependencies in mental health. With this in mind, the plasma levels of folic acid, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, and riboflavin were studied in approximately 125 children admitted to a child psychiatric unit. There were no apparent decreased levels of vitamins in these children in terms of their age, race, or psychiatric diagnosis. It is postulated that vitamin deficiencies per se cannot be proposed as etiological factors in any of the psychiatric deficits represented. Megavitamin therapy, if successful, is not effective due to crrection of vitamin deficiencies as opposed to vitamin dependencies and may be due to the metabolic onus and consequent effects of such heavy doses of vitamins.

Topics: Adolescent; Affective Symptoms; Ascorbic Acid; Autistic Disorder; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Child, Preschool; Folic Acid; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Male; Orthomolecular Therapy; Psychotic Disorders; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Schizophrenia

A health survey was carried out on 131 primary school children in the Bay of Plenty. Ninety children had no health defect. Inadequate hearing was the commonest defect and was more prevalent in Maoris. In all 55 health defects were found of which 18 were newly detected. There was a total absence of iron deficiency anaemia.

Topics: Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Ethnicity; Health Surveys; Hearing Disorders; Humans; New Zealand