Plasma and serum micronutrient concentrations in preschool children

The plasma concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene and serum concentrations of zinc, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin were examined for a random cluster sample, stratified by socioeconomic status, of 467 healthy preschool children. Children were aged 9-62 months; 44% were females. The mean plasma values were: vitamin A, 1.29 micromol l(-1); vitamin E, 18.9 micromol l(-1); and beta-carotene, 0.30 micromol l(-1). The mean serum values were: zinc, 13.9 micromol l(-1); retinol-binding protein, 25.5 mg l(-1); and prealbumin, 186.2 mg l(-1). The mean molar ratio of vitamin A to retinol-binding protein for the study group was 1.10. There were no differences in the mean values of any of the measured micronutrients between the genders. The results of this survey do not indicate that the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in this preschool population is of public health significance.