Dietary vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentrations of preschool children from different socio-economical levels in Izmir, Turkey

作者：Midyat Levent^*; Kurugol N Zafer; Aksit Sadik; Tanriverdi Mahir; Yagci Rasit Vural

来源：Acta Paediatrica, 2011, 100(7): e24-e27.

DOI：10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02142.x

• Children
• Malnutrition
• Retinol
• Vitamin A

Aim:
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), especially in its subclinical form, is a world health problem in young children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD among preschool children in various socio-economic groups in Izmir, Turkey.
Methods:
One hundred and one children aged 24-59 months were selected for the study with cluster sampling method. A questionnaire was completed by the parents, and the dietary pattern was assessed by using a 3-day dietary record method.
Results:
Mean serum retinol concentration of the children was 28.3 +/- 10.2 mu g/dL. Serum vitamin A concentration of two children (2%) was below 10 mu g/dL (VAD), whereas 18 (18%) children had vitamin A concentrations between 10 and 20 mu g/dL (subclinical deficiency). We did not find any relationship between mean serum retinol concentrations and the independent variables such as socio-economical levels, age groups, birth weight and gestational age. However, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum retinol concentrations and weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z scores of the children (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Because one-fifth of the children under 5 years have VAD in Izmir, Turkey, nutrition education must be given to the families during well-child care visits, and routine vitamin supplementation should be considered especially in children with malnutrition.

• 出版日期2011-7