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Magnitude of zinc deficiency amongst under five children in India

Umesh Kapil1, Kajal Jain

  • 1Department of Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India. umeshkapil@yahoo.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|February 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Serum zinc deficiency is prevalent in Indian children aged 6-60 months, affecting 43.8% overall. This study highlights the urgent need for nutritional interventions to combat widespread zinc deficiency in vulnerable populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Zinc is an essential micronutrient crucial for child growth and development.
  • Zinc deficiency is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing countries.
  • Limited data exists on the prevalence of zinc deficiency in young Indian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of serum zinc deficiency in children aged 6 to 60 months across five Indian states.
  • To identify regional variations in zinc deficiency rates.
  • To inform public health strategies for addressing micronutrient deficiencies.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in five diverse Indian states.
  • A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select participants.
  • Serum zinc levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 1,655 children.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of serum zinc deficiency was 43.8% among children aged 6-60 months.
  • Prevalence varied by state, with Orissa showing the highest rate (51.3%) and Karnataka the lowest (36.2%).
  • Higher rates were observed in children from Low Socio-economic Index backgrounds.

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of zinc deficiency exists in young Indian children, particularly those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
  • The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve zinc status in this population.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the determinants and long-term consequences of zinc deficiency in India.
Abstract

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