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The Physical Developmental Characterization of Children with Nutritional Deficiencies and Attributed Specific

Jingjing Liu1, Xinye Qi2, Rizhen Wang3

  • 1School of Public Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei 231131, China.

Nutrients
|January 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Nutritional deficiency diseases (NDDs) in Chinese children aged 1-7 years are linked to growth faltering, primarily due to calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D deficiencies. These deficiencies, both single and combined, impact weight and height, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the physical developmental impacts of nutritional deficiency diseases (NDDs) in Chinese children aged 1-7 years.
  • Previous studies have not sufficiently clarified which specific NDD categories contribute to growth faltering.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physical developmental phenotypes of NDDs in Chinese children aged 1-7 years using anthropometric measurements.
  • To identify specific NDD categories associated with growth faltering in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Anthropometric data (age, height, weight) were collected from 3054 children diagnosed with NDDs.
  • Data were adjusted using the skewness coefficient-median-coefficient of variation method and compared against WHO standards.
  • Comparisons of specific NDD categories were made using height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), and BMI-for-age (BAZ) standardized values.

Main Results:

  • Calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B deficiencies were the most prevalent single NDDs.
  • Protein-energy malnutrition combined with vitamin C deficiency was the most common co-occurring deficiency.
  • Children with NDDs exhibited lower HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ compared to WHO standards, with WAZ showing significant differences.
  • Co-morbid deficiencies, such as vitamin A and D, or calcium and C, were associated with lower WAZ.

Conclusions:

  • Calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D deficiencies are key NDDs contributing to growth issues in Chinese children.
  • Growth retardation, characterized by low weight and height, is driven by single and co-morbid micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Anthropometric assessment is crucial for identifying and managing NDDs and their impact on child development.
Abstract

Keywords:
body mass index for agemean value of height for agenutritional deficienciesstandardized values of weight for age

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