Plasma carotenoids in German children and adolescents

Abstract

Carotenoids are important antioxidants and precursors of vitamin A, but only few studies have been carried out on plasma carotenoid levels in paediatric age groups. Using high-performance liquid chromatography we analysed concentrations of four important carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lycopene) in 129 healthy German children and adolescents (81 boys, 48 girls; age 1–18 years). For all carotenoids analysed, no significant differences between girls and boys were found. α-Carotene values ranged from 0 μmol/l (below detection limits) to 0.73 μmol/l (0–395 μg/l), β-carotene from 0.09 μmol/l to 2.68 μmol/l (48–1443 μg/l), lycopene from 0 μmol/l to 1.51 μmol/l (0–815 μg/l), and cryptoxanthin from 0 μmol/l to 0.30 μmol/l (0–164 μg/l), respectively. Data analyses according to age groups showed a tendency towards higher levels of α- and β-carotene, and lower levels of lycopene in young children. These differences were significant when children younger than 4 years were compared with those above 8 and 12 years, respectively. The data presented may serve as reference values for studies on children with nutritional disorders and diseases associated with a risk of vitamin deficiencies.

Conclusion Carotenoids are important antioxidants and singlet oxygen scavengers. Plasma levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene and cryptoxanthin were determined in 129 healthy German children and adolescents. Highest values were found for β-carotene and lycopene.