Risk of Hypovitaminosis and Vitamin C Deficiency in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass

AbstractVitamin C levels are known rapidly decrease in adult critical illness. Vitamin C scavenges free radicals, provides critical protection of the endothelial barrier, and improves endothelial responsiveness to catecholamines. Children with congenital heart disease and undergoing cardiac surgery might be at increased risk for low circulating vitamin C levels. A prospective single-center observational study investigated perioperative changes in vitamin C levels in critically ill Children who underwent congenital heart surgery using CPB. Vitamin C serum levels were collected preoperatively and postoperatively (upon admission to the ICU, 24 and 72  h). Linear mixed-effect model was used to estimate mean circulating concentration of vitamin C and to estimate changes in concentration over time. Primary outcome was change in circulating levels of vitamin C before and after CPB. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), acute kidney injury (AKI), and illness severity. Forty-one patients with a median age of 4.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.6–65.6] months at the time of surgery were consented and enrolled. Median CPB duration was 130 [90–175] minutes, and hospital LOS was 9.1 [5.2–19] days. Mean vitamin C levels (μmol/L) before CPB, at PICU admission, 24 h, and 72 h were 82.0 (95% CI 73.4–90.7), 53.4 (95% CI 44.6,62.0), 55.1 (95% CI 46.3,63.8), and 59.2 (95% CI 50.3,68.1), respectively. Upon postoperative admission to the PICU, vitamin C levels decreased by ...
Source: Pediatric Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research