TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTATION IN PREVENTING THE INCIDENCE OF PNEUMONIA IN ICU PATIENTS

BACKGROUND In our country there are many studies regarding the role of vitamin C and scurvy but very less studies are performed  in correlation of vitamin C and pneumonia. AIM AND OBJECTIVES To study efficacy of vitamin C supplementation in preventing hospital acquired pneumonia. APPLICATION OF RESEARCH This study will help us understand whether vitamin C can be used as a prophylactic therapy for controlling nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized patients. Pneumonia is afairly common severe infection and vitamin C is a safe and inexpensive essential nutrient. The possibility that vitamin C supplementation in ICU patients may have a prophylactic effect is worth studying. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total number of 100 patients randomly selected over a period of 2 months by ruling out pneumonia on chest X ray were studied in medicine ICU of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Karad, and supplemented with 500mg of vitamin C four times a day for 1 week and results were observed RESULTS The incidence of pneumonia increases with age. Out of 100 patients in the study, 34% are in the age group of 41-60 years, 30% are in the age group more than 60 years, 26% are in the age group of 21-40, and 10% are in the age group 18-20 years. Out of 100 patients 43% were males and 57% were females. After administration of tab vitamin C 500mgs four times a day for 7 days , out of 100 patients 18% of patients developed evidence of pneumonia on chest X ray in ICU care and 82% of patients did not had pneumonia. CONCLUSION This study recommends, Vitamin C could be used as an inexpensive preventive measure for preventing nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized patients . Its therapeutic use can be part of regular hospital treatments as its cost & risks are low.