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Risk factors for subclinical vitamin A deficiency in children under the age of 6 years

D W Khandait1, N D Vasudeo, S P Zodpey

  • 1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, India.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|September 21, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Subclinical vitamin A deficiency affects 35.7% of children under 6 in Nagpur slums. Female gender, undernutrition, and measles are key risk factors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to prevent this deficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Subclinical vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health concern in developing countries.
  • Early identification of risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with subclinical vitamin A deficiency.
  • To identify key determinants for targeted public health interventions in urban slums.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 308 non-xerophthalmic children under 6 years.
  • Conjunctival impression cytology was used to assess vitamin A status.
  • Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was found to be 35.7%.
  • Significant risk factors identified included female gender, illiterate mothers, lower socioeconomic status, multiple young children, undernutrition, diarrhea, measles, and acute respiratory infections.
  • Logistic regression highlighted female gender, multiple young children, undernutrition, and measles as significant predictors.

Conclusions:

  • Subclinical vitamin A deficiency is highly prevalent in the studied urban slum population.
  • Female children, those with undernutrition, and a history of measles are at increased risk.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic, nutritional, and infectious disease factors for prevention.

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