Vitamin B6 intakes and 24-hr 4-pyridoxic acid excretions of children.

Vitamin B6 intake and 4-pyridoxic acid excretions of 22 children were determined. Mean intake of vitamin B6 per day was 1.10 mg +/- 0.47. Mean percentage of vitamin B6 intake excreted as 4-pyridoxic acid was 48% +/- 23. Excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid was significantly correlated to vitamin B6 intake but not to vitamin B6/protein ratios or vitamin B6/kilocalorie levels. Excretions of 4-pyridoxic acid equal to or below 0.15 mg appeared to be indicative of poor vitamin B6 intake for the children which was similar to the excretions found by others for depleted adults.