The vitamin B1, B2 and B6 status of school children in two resettlement areas in northeast Thailand

Abstract

The vitamin B 1 , B 2 and B 6 status of school children were studied in the Khon Kaen resettlement and irrigation area and in the Lam takong settlement in northeast Thailand using the in vitro tests based on the erythrocyte transketolase, glutathione reductase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activities. Healthy school children were selected as a reference group. The results demonstrate that the vitamin B 1 status in the resettlement area is sufficient, but about 20 to 35% of all the children show evidence of vitamin B 2 and B 6 deficiencies. It is noted that besides a high prevalence of parasitic infections and poor hygienic conditions, the protein and vitamin intake is low and improvement of the situation is necessary.