Vitamin A status and recurrent respiratory infection among Chinese children: A nationally representative survey

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nutrition
• Pediatric Health
• Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

• Vitamin A is vital for child growth, immune function, vision, and cell differentiation.
• Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in developing nations.
• Assessing the current vitamin A status in Chinese children is essential for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (SVAD) in Chinese children.
• To identify vulnerable populations and geographical areas affected by SVAD.
• To inform public health strategies for VAD prevention and control in China.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale, cross-sectional survey involving 277,064 children aged 0-14 years across 26 Chinese provinces (2015-2018).
• Data collection included sociodemographic factors and dietary supplement use via parental interviews.
• Serum vitamin A concentrations were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); weighted distributions and new CI methods were employed.

Main Results:

• 10.4% (23.9 million) of Chinese children aged 0-14 years are at risk of subclinical VAD (<0.2 mg/L).
• Children with recurrent respiratory infections (21.3%) showed increased vulnerability to SVAD.
• Higher SVAD prevalence was noted in western and northeastern China; ethnic minorities had significantly lower serum vitamin A levels than Han Chinese children.

Conclusions:

• Subclinical VAD remains a moderate public health concern among Chinese children, especially those with respiratory issues.
• Targeted nutrition education for parents emphasizing vitamin A-rich foods is recommended.
• Addressing VAD is critical for improving child health outcomes in China.