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Nutritional stunting in Egypt: which nutrient is responsible?

S A Ibrahim1, A Abd el-Maksoud, M F Nassar

  • 1Department of Research and Field Study, Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal = La Revue De Sante De La Mediterranee Orientale = Al-Majallah Al-Sihhiyah Li-Sharq Al-Mutawassit
|September 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Nutrient deficiencies, including lower levels of hemoglobin, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, and magnesium, are linked to linear growth retardation in Egyptian children. These deficiencies may collectively contribute to stunting in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Linear growth retardation, or stunting, is a significant public health concern in children.
  • Nutritional deficiencies are suspected contributors to stunting, but specific relationships require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between linear growth retardation and deficiencies in specific nutrients among Egyptian children.
  • To identify key nutrient deficiencies potentially contributing to stunting in the studied population.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 107 stunted children (aged 10-18 years) and 39 controls.
  • Data collection included medical history, physical examinations, laboratory investigations (serum hemoglobin, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, magnesium, zinc), and radiological assessment of bone age for selected cases.

Main Results:

  • Stunted children exhibited significantly lower serum levels of hemoglobin, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, and magnesium compared to controls.
  • Serum zinc levels were also lower in the stunted group, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple nutrient deficiencies are prevalent in stunted Egyptian children.
  • The identified deficiencies (hemoglobin, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, magnesium) may play a role in the etiology of linear growth retardation.

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