Isolated and combined prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in preschool children 12-72 months for the government of Paraíba

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the isolated and combined prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in pre-school children, as well as the distribution of isolated deficiencies according to gender, age and prior supplementation with vitamin A. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with pre-school children in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Analysis of the average concentrations of hemoglobin, serum retinol and serum zinc, according to gender, age and previous vitamin A supplementation of children were carried out as well as the risk of simultaneous occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies in the presence of these deficiencies. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency were 15.4%, 23.3% and 13.8%, respectively. The anemia was significantly associated with age (p<0.01). Children previously supplemented by vitamin A had higher serum retinol concentrations than children without supplements, an effect that was not observed for concentrations of hemoglobin or serum zinc. The prevalence of anemia associated with vitamin A deficiency was 5.8%, with the chance of vitamin A deficiency and anemia coexist 2.21 times (95%CI=1.03-4.84) higher in the case of vitamin A deficiency or anemia rather than in the absence of these conditions. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies which are important in child growth, as well as the coexistence of nutritional deficiencies, point out the need to strengthen nutrition intervention strategies that consider this issue.

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Poor nutritional status of schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban areas of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Charles Daboné, Hélène Delisle, Olivier Receveur (2011)

Background Malnutrition is still highly prevalent in developing countries. Schoolchildren may also be at high nutritional risk, not only under-five children. However, their nutritional status is poorly documented, particularly in urban areas. The paucity of information hinders the development of relevant nutrition programs for schoolchildren. The aim of this study carried out in Ouagadougou was to assess the nutritional status of schoolchildren attending public and private schools. Methods The study was carried out to provide baseline data for the implementation and evaluation of the Nutrition Friendly School Initiative of WHO. Six intervention schools and six matched control schools were selected and a sample of 649 schoolchildren (48% boys) aged 7-14 years old from 8 public and 4 private schools were studied. Anthropometric and haemoglobin measurements, along with thyroid palpation, were performed. Serum retinol was measured in a random sub-sample of children (N = 173). WHO criteria were used to assess nutritional status. Chi square and independent t-test were used for proportions and mean comparisons between groups. Results Mean age of the children (48% boys) was 11.5 ± 1.2 years. Micronutrient malnutrition was highly prevalent, with 38.7% low serum retinol and 40.4% anaemia. The prevalence of stunting was 8.8% and that of thinness, 13.7%. The prevalence of anaemia (p = 0.001) and vitamin A deficiency (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in public than private schools. Goitre was not detected. Overweight/obesity was low (2.3%) and affected significantly more children in private schools (p = 0.009) and younger children (7-9 y) (p < 0.05). Thinness and stunting were significantly higher in peri-urban compared to urban schools (p < 0.05 and p = 0.004 respectively). Almost 15% of the children presented at least two nutritional deficiencies. Conclusion This study shows that malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are also widely prevalent in schoolchildren in cities, and it underlines the need for nutrition interventions to target them.

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Role of micronutrients for physical growth and mental development.

Shiva M. Singh (2003)

Due to control of florid and severe cases of protein-energy malnutrition, deficiencies of micronutrients in children have assumed public health importance. According to National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau of India, over 50% of apparently healthy looking children have subclinical or biochemical deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamins B2, B6, folate and vitamin C. Over two-third of children have clinical evidences of iron deficiency while deficiency of trace minerals like iodine and zinc is quite common in certain populations. Children have food preferences and they are quite fussy to take green leafy vegetables and fruits thus compromising their intake of micronutrients from dietary sources. The full genetic potential of the child for physical growth and mental development may be compromised due to subclinical deficiencies of micronutrients which are commonly referred to as "hidden hunger". Micronutrients are required for the integrity and optimal functioning of immune system. Children with subclinical deficiency of micronutrients are more vulnerable to develop frequent and more severe common day-to-day infections thus triggering a vicious cycle of undernutrition and recurrent infections. A number of micronutrients are required for optimal physical growth and neuromotor development. Isolated deficiencies of micronutrients are rare in clinical practice and usually deficiencies of multiple micronutrients co-exist. The first 3 years of life are most crucial and vulnerable to the hazards of undernutrition. All efforts should be made so that preschool children are given a balanced and nutritious home-based diet. However, it has been shown that it is not possible to meet 100% requirements of recommended dietary allowances (RDA's) of micronutrients from dietary sources alone and most preschool children need administration of nutritional supplements to optimize their genetic potential for physical growth and mental development.