Vitamin A Deficiency, Anemia, and Nutritional Status of under 5-Year Children from Northeast India
I I Meshram1, G Neeraja1, T Longvah2
1Division of Public Health Nutrition, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Insights
High rates of anemia and Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) were found in Indian children. Undernutrition, particularly stunting, was linked to maternal employment and low income, highlighting the need for improved nutritional interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Nutrition
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and anemia are significant public health concerns in India.
- These deficiencies disproportionately affect child populations, necessitating urgent assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of children under five.
- To determine the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional study utilized systematic random sampling.
- Collected blood samples for hemoglobin and Vitamin A analysis; assessed nutritional status using WHO growth standards.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: anemia (68%), VAD (59%), underweight (30%), stunting (55%), wasting (11%).
- Stunting associated with maternal labor and low income; underweight with poor sanitation.
- Exclusive breastfeeding linked to infant undernutrition.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of anemia, VAD, and stunting in children.
- Low intake of green leafy vegetables and dairy products suspected causes.
- Need to enhance supplementation programs and public distribution systems.
Background:
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Anemia are important public health nutritional problems in India.
Objective:
To assess nutritional status and prevalence and correlates of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD among children.
Materials And Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out adopting systematic random sampling. Information on socio-demographic particulars was collected and 20 μL blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop on Whatman filter paper for Vitamin A estimation. Hemoglobin was estimated using indirect cyanmethemoglobin and Vitamin A by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standard.
Results:
The overall prevalence of anemia and VAD was 68% and 59%, respectively, while underweight, stunting, and wasting was 30%, 55%, and 11%, respectively, among under 5 year children. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of anemia and VAD with any sociodemographic variables, while the odd of stunting was four times higher among children of mothers engaged in labor and two times among children from low-income group, while underweight was two times higher among children from households not having sanitary latrine. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be associated with undernutrition among infants.
Conclusions:
Anemia, VAD, and stunting were high among children. Low intakes of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk product may be the reasons for the higher prevalence of anemia and VAD. There is a need to strengthen supplementation of iron and folic acid tablets and Vitamin A and also public distribution system.
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