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Vitamin A status of socio-economically backward children
1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Bombay.
Insights
A study found that 20% of children in Mumbai slums have low Vitamin A levels, indicating widespread deficiency. This poor nutrition impacts children's growth and overall health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional science
- Pediatric health
- Public health
Background:
- Socio-economically backward families in urban slums often face nutritional challenges.
- Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health concern, especially in developing regions.
- Dietary intake of essential nutrients is crucial for child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the Vitamin A status of pre-school and school-age children in Mumbai slums.
- To evaluate the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency and its clinical signs.
- To correlate dietary intake and anthropometric measurements with Vitamin A status.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive survey was conducted on 1956 children aged 0-12 years.
- Serum Vitamin A levels were measured, alongside assessments of protein, calories, and iron intake.
- Clinical signs of Vitamin A deficiency were evaluated using Rose Bengal stain test (RBST) and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC).
Main Results:
- 20% of children exhibited low serum Vitamin A levels (< 20 micrograms/dl).
- 4.8% of children showed clinical signs of Vitamin A deficiency.
- Dietary intake and anthropometric measurements were below recommended standards, indicating overall malnutrition.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent among children in Mumbai slums.
- Inadequate nutrition negatively affects children's growth and health outcomes.
- Interventions are needed to improve dietary intake and address Vitamin A deficiency in this population.
Abstract:
A comprehensive survey was carried out to asses the Vitamin A status of pre-school (0-6 yrs). and school age (6-12 yrs.) children of socio-economically backward families from slums of Bombay and its suburbs. The Vitamin A, protein, calories and iron from the rice and dal based diet was found to be below recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Among the 1956 children surveyed 20% of the children showed low (< 20 micrograms/dl) serum vitamin A levels. 4.8% of the children were suffering from one or the other signs of Vitamin A deficiency. Rose Bengal stain test (RBST) and conjuctival impression cytology (CIC) indicted the signs of mild conjuctival xerosis and of early epithelial changes which were correlated with serum vitamin A levels. Serum iron, PCV, Hb and RBC levels were below normal. The anthropometric measurements of these children were below 50th percentile of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) standards. Due to lack of proper nutrition, the overall growth of children is either retarded or not upto the standard levels as was noted in majority of the children.