Plasma concentrations of B-6 vitamers and homocysteine as well as erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients and vitamin B-6 (dietary + supplement) intakes of apparently healthy young Latino children of immigrant parents living in rural Nebraska were determined and differences determined by gender. Thirty-five Latino children (16 males and 19 females), aged 4-8 years, were included in the study. Nutrient intake information was obtained from the children's parents utilizing two nonconsecutive 24-hour food recalls. No differences were observed by gender with regard to vitamin B-6 intakes, plasma concentrations of B-6 vitamers and homocysteine, and erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients. The intakes of all children met the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin B-6. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentrations, plasma homocysteine concentrations, and erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficients of the children were (mean ± SD) 83.71 ± 37.35 nmol/L, 6.81 ± 1.63 μmol/L, and 1.08 ± 0.06, respectively. All the Latino children of immigrant parents in this study had values indicative of adequate vitamin B-6 status. © Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

Erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficient Latino children Homocysteine Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate

rural area immigrant Alanine Transaminase alanine aminotransferase vitamin blood level enzyme activity Nebraska enzyme blood level human pyridoxine rural population controlled study nutritional assessment concentration (parameters) Hispanic Americans United States school child Humans Pyridoxal Phosphate Hispanic homocysteine Pyridoxamine male Vitamin B 6 nutrient management female Pyridoxal pyridoxal 5 phosphate Child, Preschool Conference Paper Questionnaires vitamin supplementation erythrocyte nutritional status dietary intake Child