Page 84 - Proceeding of Plenary Abstract of Parallel Symposim

NUTRISI & PENYAKIT METABOLIK

Vitamin for Boost Childs’ Immune System: Science or Myth? -Vitamin D-

Rina Pratiwi
Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro/Dr. Kariadi General Hospital, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Abstract
Background Immune system protects human from pathogenic organism since the beginning of life. Many
vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12, folate, C,D and E and trace elements such as zinc, copper and selenium
have been demonstrated to influence the enhancement of immune system and lessen the risk of infection.
Objective This presentation will focus on evidence based of vitamin D and its effect to children’s immune
system that aim to expand the nutrients effect in immune system and finding the best recommendation
in improving immune system in pandemic era. Discussion Vitamin D has been known as micronutrient
that has an important role in bone growth. Nowadays, many studies considered its role in many systems in
our body, including immune system. In innate immunity, improves chemotaxis, phagocytosis, expression of
antimicrobial peptides by macrophages and monocytes. In adaptive immunity, vitamin D has an effect in
downregulation of IL-2, IFN-g, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17 expression in Th cells. Adequate intake through diet
and sun exposure will improve level of vitamin D. Although supplementation can be given, the right dose
needs to be assessed accordingly to nutritional status and blood level as supplementation have some adverse
effects.

Vitamins C for Boost Child’s Immune System: Science or Myth?

Novitria Dwinanda
Harapan Kita National Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract
Background Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble micronutrient. The role of vitamin
C is as immunonutrients are nutritional elements, which affect the inflammatory and immune response.
Besides macronutrients (free fatty acids, glucose, nucleotides, and amino acids), growing evidence reveals
that a sufficient amount of micronutrients including trace elements and vitamins plays an important part in
maintaining immune function and could, therefore, help disease prevention and health promotion.
Methods This review was searched all known literature in the references to relevant studies.
Discussion This micronutrient helps to maintain epithelial barrier function, to promote chemotaxis, and
antimicrobial activities of phagocyte cells, natural killer cell functions, and lymphocyte proliferation and
differentiation. In addition, vitamin C has been shown to affect the production of pro-inflammatory
cytokines/chemokines, the expression of adhesive molecules, and antioxidative effects. The normal serum
range for vitamin C is considered to be 30–90 mol/l (0.5 and 1.6 mg/dL). Serum levels between 11 and 23
mol/l show marginal vitamin deficiency, and amounts below 11 mol/l (<0.18 mg/dl) indicate deficiency.
Humans lack the ability to synthesize vitamin C therefore require an adequate and regular dietary intake
of vitamin C. The current recommendation for average daily level of intake of vitamin C is about 40-50
mg/day for 0 months-12 years old, 75-90 mg/day for 13-18 years old boy and 65-75 mg/day for 13-18
years old girl. Supplementation with vitamin C, especially in high risk groups been shown to reduce the
duration and severity of cold symptoms by enhancing various immune cell functions. In contrast, treatment
of established infections requires significantly higher (gram) doses of the vitamin to compensate for the
increased inflammatory response and metabolic demand.

Kongres Nasional Ilmu Kesehatan Anak XVIII 69