Biochemical and Functional Consequences of Riboflavin Deficiency among School Children in Coimbatore and the Effect of Riboflavin Supplementation

Surveys conducted by National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau suggested that riboflavin is one of the most limiting nutrients in Indian diets. Riboflavin intake was only 50 to 60 per cent of the recommended allowance particularly in population where rice is staple. Recent studies on dietary intake of rural school children of Hyderabad had revealed the deficiency of energy and vitamins particularly vitamin A, thiamine and riboflavin. Riboflavin deficiency in humans might lower some psychomotor performances. Prolonged B complex vitamin supplement to rural school boys of Hyderabad, could not normalise the riboflavin status in 50 percent of the children examined, but the selective psychomotor testing revealed beneficial effects of vitamin supplements on armhand steadiness test. Hence an attempt was made to find out the impact of riboflavin supplementation on growth, red cell riboflavin and arm-hand steadiness.