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[Study on the correlation of vitamin A and iron status in children]

Jian-hong Li1, Jian-hua Piao, Ning Guo

  • 1Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese CDC, Beijing 100050, China.

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu = Journal of Hygiene Research
|June 9, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency and marginal deficiency are prevalent in Chinese children, affecting 8.4% and 44.7% respectively. Plasma VA levels correlate with iron status, indicating a coexisting nutritional challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin A (VA) is crucial for immune function and vision.
  • Iron deficiency is a common nutritional problem in children globally.
  • Assessing the combined nutritional status is vital for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine vitamin A status in Chinese children.
  • To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency.
  • To explore the relationship between vitamin A and iron status.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the 2002 Chinese National Health and Nutrition Survey (CNHS).
  • Measurement of plasma vitamin A, hemoglobin, ferritin, TIBC, and sTfR in 380 children.
  • Statistical analysis to assess deficiency prevalence and correlations.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 8.4%, and marginal deficiency was 44.7%.
  • Plasma vitamin A showed a positive correlation with hemoglobin (r=0.16986, P<0.01).
  • Plasma vitamin A was negatively correlated with soluble transferrin receptor (r=-0.12863, P<0.05), but not with ferritin or TIBC.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency are widespread among Chinese children.
  • Iron deficiency coexists with vitamin A marginal deficiency in this population.
  • Plasma vitamin A levels are significantly correlated with key indicators of iron status.
Abstract

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