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Vitamin A status and its hematological correlates among preschool children in Beijing, China
Jun Wu1, Hui-Juan Wang2, Xin Zhang2
1Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, China. Email: junjun80816@163.com; ekmz2015@sina.com.
Insights
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health issue in northern China, affecting nearly 10% of preschool children. This deficiency is linked to lower red blood cell indices, particularly in 3-4 year olds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin A is essential for child growth and health.
- Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a concern in many populations.
- Assessing VAD prevalence and its impact is crucial for child well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current vitamin A status in preschool children.
- To estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and marginal VAD (MVAD).
- To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin A levels and hematological parameters.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 630 preschool children (aged 1-6 years).
- Data collected from routine checkups at Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing (April 2017 - December 2020).
- Analysis of serum vitamin A concentrations and hematological parameters.
Main Results:
- Mean serum vitamin A was 0.29±0.08 mg/L.
- Prevalence of VAD was 9.84% and MVAD was 43.49%.
- Children aged 3-4 years showed the highest VAD/MVAD prevalence and lowest vitamin A levels.
- Lower vitamin A levels correlated with decreased red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) and increased RDW.
- Anemic children had significantly lower serum vitamin A.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health problem in northern China.
- Preschool children aged 3-4 years are particularly vulnerable to VAD.
- Serum vitamin A levels are associated with key red blood cell indices, highlighting potential links to anemia.
- Targeted interventions for 3-4 year olds are recommended.
Background And Objectives:
Vitamin A is vital for the growth and health of children. This study aimed to estimate the current vitamin A status and the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among preschool children and explore the correlation between serum vitamin A concentration and changes in hematological parameters.
Methods And Study Design:
The study included 697 children aged 1-6 years, presenting for routine checkups at the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, from April 2017 to December 2020. We obtained the complete laboratory test data of 630 children.
Results:
The mean serum vitamin A concentration among preschool children was 0.29±0.08 mg/L, with a median of 0.29 mg/L. The proportion of children with VAD and marginal VAD (MVAD) was 9.84% and 43.49%, respectively. The highest prevalence of VAD and MVAD was in the 3- to 4-year age group. Compared with the normal vitamin A serum concentration group, other groups had lower mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and higher red blood cell distribution width. The mean serum vitamin A concentration among anemic children was significantly lower (0.27±0.07 mg/L) than among those children who were not anemic (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
VAD constitutes a public health problem in northern China. The prevalence of VAD is highest, and the serum vitamin A concentration was the lowest among preschool children aged 3-4 years. Vitamin A serum concentration was associated with red blood cell indices. We should attach more importance to those children aged 3-4 years.
