Metabolic Patterns in Preadolescent Children

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 74; no. 4; pp. 345 - 351
• Main Authors: Pace, June K., Stier, Larue B., Taylor, Doris D., Goodman, Patricia S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.08.1961
• ISSN: 0022-3166
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/74.4.345

Pantothenic acid and folic acid content of food and urine was determined for 35 girls, 7 to 9 years of age, maintained with controlled diets. Three series of metabolic studies were made. Pantothenic acid intakes in the three studies averaged 4.49, 5.00, and 2.79 mg per child per day; urinary excretions averaged 2.85, 1.71, and 1.31 mg per day, respectively. In general, with the higher intakes of pantothenic acid the urinary excretion tended to be higher. With an increased protein intake there was an increased pantothenic acid intake since many of the foods high in pantothenic acid are likely to contain considerable protein. Pantothenic acid excretion for the girls in these studies could not be related to body size. Folic acid intake in the three studies averaged 98, 80, and 52 µg per child per day; urinary excretion averaged 1.24, 1.13, and 1.41 µg per day, respectively. Excretion of folic acid in the urine accounted for less than 3% of the intake. The amount excreted did not show relationship to folic acid intake, pantothenic acid intake, protein intake, or body weight. Diets, made up of ordinary foods planned to meet the National Research Council’s recommended allowances of well known nutrients for children 7 to 9 years of age, supplied from 4 to 5 mg of pantothenic acid and from 80 to 100 µg of folic acid per day.