Does vitamin C deficiency result in impaired brain development in infants?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does vitamin C deficiency result in impaired brain development in infants?

AU - Tveden-Nyborg, Pernille Yde

AU - Lykkesfeldt, Jens

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Scurvy, the rare but potentially mortal manifestation of severe and prolonged lack of vitamin C, is often confused with hypovitaminosis C, i.e. the mere definition of vitamin C deficiency. While the latter condition can be diagnosed in millions, the clinical consequences-if they exist-remain largely unknown, since only a tiny fraction of those deficient in vitamin C actually develop clinical scurvy. Is hypovitaminosis C itself a problem at all then? Yes, it may well be in some cases. Recent data by us suggest that the neonatal brain is particularly susceptible to vitamin C deficiency and that this condition may adversely affect early brain development.

AB - Scurvy, the rare but potentially mortal manifestation of severe and prolonged lack of vitamin C, is often confused with hypovitaminosis C, i.e. the mere definition of vitamin C deficiency. While the latter condition can be diagnosed in millions, the clinical consequences-if they exist-remain largely unknown, since only a tiny fraction of those deficient in vitamin C actually develop clinical scurvy. Is hypovitaminosis C itself a problem at all then? Yes, it may well be in some cases. Recent data by us suggest that the neonatal brain is particularly susceptible to vitamin C deficiency and that this condition may adversely affect early brain development.

KW - Former LIFE faculty

KW - vitamin c

KW - deficiency

KW - brain development

U2 - 10.1179/135100009X392412

DO - 10.1179/135100009X392412

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19161672

SN - 1351-0002

VL - 14

SP - 2

EP - 6

JO - Redox Report

JF - Redox Report

IS - 1

ER -