Vitamin B6 status measures of an institutionalized mentally retarded population.

Intake and functional measurements of vitamin B6 were assessed for 40 institutionalized mentally retarded persons. Dietary intake was determined by observations during a 3-day period. Diets contained a mean of 1.6 mg/day of vitamin B6. The saturation of red cell aspartic transaminase was determined as a functional measurement of cellular B6 status. The mean saturation level did not differ significantly from a control group. There was a significant nonlinear correlation of intake and saturation level; 20% of the subjects fell below the level regarded as adequate. Although many of the subjects were receiving a variety of drugs, correlation of these data indicates that total intake of the vitamin accounted for most of the variability of the data. Protein and calorie intake were also examined.