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[Protein profile and vitamin A in children of school age in Ivory Coast]

H F Yapi1, H Ahiboh, K Ago

  • 1Laboratoire de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, UFR de sciences pharmaceutiques et biologiques de Cocody, Côte d'Ivoire. felhouph@yahoo.fr

Annales De Biologie Clinique
|June 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin A deficiency in school-aged children is linked to lower nutritional (retinol binding protein) and immunity (immunoglobulin A) proteins. It also shows increased inflammatory markers (alpha-1 glycoprotein acid) in boys, linked to diet and environment.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Health

Context:

  • Vitamin A deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in school-aged children.
  • Dietary micronutrient deficiencies, especially those rich in carbohydrates, contribute to vitamin A deficiency.
  • Assessing nutritional, immune, and inflammatory markers provides insights into the comprehensive impact of vitamin A deficiency.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the changes in blood nutritional, immunity, and inflammatory proteins in school-aged children with vitamin A deficiency.
  • To determine the relationship between vitamin A levels and specific protein concentrations.
  • To identify key biomarkers associated with vitamin A deficiency in this population.

Summary:

  • A study of 262 Ivorian school-aged children revealed that 36.6% had vitamin A deficiency.
  • Children with vitamin A deficiency exhibited lower levels of retinol binding protein and immunoglobulin A.
  • An isolated increase in alpha-1 glycoprotein acid was observed in boys with vitamin A deficiency, potentially linked to environmental factors.

Impact:

  • Identifies retinol binding protein, immunoglobulin A, and alpha-1 glycoprotein acid as key protein markers for vitamin A deficiency in children.
  • Highlights the role of diet and environmental factors in vitamin A deficiency and its associated protein changes.
  • Provides evidence for the impact of vitamin A deficiency on both nutritional status and immune function in pediatric populations.

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