THE LEVEL OF VITAMIN A AND CAROTENE IN THE PLASMA OF RHEUMATIC SUBJECTS

Abstract

It is recognized that rheumatic fever occurs more frequently in individuals from low income groups than in those from economic groups with greater income. In a recent study (1), the diets of 50 rheumatic children from families of low income were analyzed and compared with those of 50 non-rheumatic children from families on high income. Striking differences were found. The diets of the rheumatic children contained less than required amounts of various food com- ponents, with most marked inadequacies of protein, iron, and vitamin A. The occurrence of inadequate intake of vitamin A was much more frequent in the rheumatic than in the non- rheumatic children, only 2 of the former and 36 of the latter having diets deficient in this com- ponent. There was a statistically significant association between susceptibility to rheumatic fever and inadequate intake of vitamin A. In the half of the rheumatic group considered most susceptible to rheumatic fever, only one child received vitamin A in required amounts. An analysis of the diet in terms of units of vitamin A obtained from animal and plant sources revealed the following facts: (a) children most susceptible to rheumatic fever received an average of 2280 I.U.4 from animal and 2340 I.U. from vegetable sources, daily; (b) corresponding values for children less susceptible to rheumatic fever were 4840 I.U. and 4900 I.U., respectively; (c) non- rheumatic children from families of high income groups received 10,580 I.U. from animal and 4960 I.U. from plant sources.