Study on the Association Between Vitamin C Deficiency and Diarrhea in Children
Study on the Association Between Vitamin C Deficiency and Diarrhea in Children
Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five, althought it is both preventable and treatable. The causative factors of diarrheal diseases vary a lot from region to region (bacteria, viruses, parasites). Diarrhea is one of the main causes of malnutrition in children under five years of age. Inversely, nutritional deficiency, particularly vitamin C deficiency, can be a risk factor for diarrhea.
The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of vitamin C deficiency on diarrheal infection in children aged 2 to 5 years in countries with a high diarrheal rate. This pilot case-control study will be conducted in metropolitan France, Africa and South America. This question will be addressed by comparing vitamin C levels in children with diarrhea, regardless of the infectious agent, to levels in age- and sex-matched controls.
Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five, althought it is both preventable and treatable. The causative factors of diarrheal diseases vary a lot from region to region (bacteria, viruses, parasites). Diarrhea is one of the main causes of malnutrition in children under five years of age. Inversely, nutritional deficiency, particularly vitamin C deficiency, can be a risk factor for diarrhea.
The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of vitamin C deficiency on diarrheal infection in children aged 2 to 5 years in countries with a high diarrheal rate. This pilot case-control study will be conducted in metropolitan France, Africa and South America. This question will be addressed by comparing vitamin C levels in children with diarrhea, regardless of the infectious agent, to levels in age- and sex-matched controls.
The study aims at (i) determining whether vitamin-deficiency may occurs in children living in developing countries and at (ii) determining the plasma vitamin A, C and E concentrations in children suffering of diarrheal diseases.
A total of 360 children will participate to the study.
Controls :
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion criteria :
Chronic diarrhea cases :
Inclusion Criteria:
-Children suffering from chronic diarrhea defined by the emission of at least 3 soft or liquid stools per day for at least 4 weeks.
Exclusion criteria :
Acute diarrhea cases :
Inclusion Criteria:
-Children suffering from acute diarrhea defined as 3 or more loose or watery stools per day for at least 3 consecutive days and up to 10 consecutive days.
Exclusion criteria :