Beneficial therapeutic effects of vitamin C on recurrent respiratory tract infections in children: preliminary data.

Abstract

BACKGROUND To demonstrate whether supplementation of vitamin C has a beneficial effect in the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. Moreover, we evaluate the main risk factors that predispose to the development of this disease. METHODS Sixty children have been enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups: the control group (G1 n = 33) and the group at risk of recurrent RTIs (G2 n = 27). To G2 group was administered every day 100% orange juice with the content of vitamin C 70 mg. RESULTS Significant reduction in the incidence rate of RTIs (episodes pre-treatment: 182-6.75 episodes/child, after-treatment: 71-2.62 episodes/child, P <0.05), were observed in G2 group. CONCLUSIONS The administration of vitamin C had a beneficial effect in our group of children with recurrent RTIs, reducing the number of infective episodes.