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Limitations in vitamin A supplementation to optimise serum retinol in preschool children from two central Java
Erry Yudhya Mulyani1, Mury Kuswari1, Sudikno2
1Department of Nutrition Faculty of Health Sciences, Esa Unggul University, Indonesia.
Insights
Vitamin A deficiency is a concern in young children. This study found no significant difference in vitamin A intake between two districts, but serum retinol levels varied, suggesting dietary improvements are needed for better vitamin A status.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in children under 5, with prior studies in West Java showing significant rates.
- Previous research indicated vitamin A deficiency rates of 18.2% (6-11 months), 15.2% (12-23 months), and 9.9% (24-59 months).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze differences in vitamin A intake and serum retinol levels among preschool children in Grobogan and Kudus, Central Java.
- To assess the nutritional status related to vitamin A in young children in two distinct regions of Central Java.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of baseline data from a vitamin A efficacy study.
- Recruitment of 143 children aged 1-3 years (71 from Kudus, 71 from Grobogan).
- Utilized independent t-tests for data analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in protein, carbohydrate, or vitamin A intake between Kudus and Grobogan.
- Significant differences in energy and fat intake (p<0.05) were observed between the two districts.
- A significant difference in average serum retinol levels was detected between children in Kudus (26.7±6.4 μg/dL) and Grobogan (29.6±5.9 μg/dL) (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Despite similar vitamin A intake, serum retinol levels differed between the two districts.
- Increasing vitamin A intake through diverse food sources is recommended to enhance serum retinol levels in preschool children.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring and improving vitamin A status in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Background And Objectives:
Vitamin A deficiency is particularly common among children younger than 5 years. In 2011, a study conducted in West Java revealed that the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children aged 6-11 months, 12-23 months, and 24-59 months was 18.2%, 15.2%, and 9.9%, respectively. The present study analysed the differences in vitamin A intake and serum retinol in all the preschool children from Grobogan and Kudus, Central Java.
Methods And Study Design:
The baseline data of vitamin A efficacy were analysed. A total of 143 children aged 1-3 years participants (n=71 from Kudus and n=71 from Grobogan) were recruited and we used independent t-tests to analyse the data.
Results:
Among the study population, 50.7% and 48.6% were boys and 49.3% and 51.4% were girls from Kudus and Grobogan, respectively. The average intake of energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and vitamin A was 698±440 (Kcal), 89±60 (g), 25.9±18.5 (g), 26.1±18.5 (g), and 435.3±554.0 (μg) in Kudus and 868±493 (Kcal), 109±67 (g), 30.9±20.1 (g), 35.1±23.1 (g), and 538.1±622.9 (μg) in Grobogan, respectively. The average serum retinol in Kudus and Grobogan were 26.7±6.4 (μg/dL) and 29.6±5.9 (μg/dL), respectively. Significant differences in energy and fat intake (p<0.05) were also observed between the Kudus and Grobogan districts; however, no differences in protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin A intake (p>=0.05) were noted. A significant difference in serum retinol was observed between these two districts (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
An increase in vitamin A intake through various foods should improve the serum retinol in preschool children.
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