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Plasma and serum micronutrient concentrations in preschool children
1Department of General Practice, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
This study found adequate vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc levels in healthy preschoolers, indicating no significant micronutrient deficiency concerns for public health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Micronutrient status is crucial for preschooler development.
- Assessing nutritional biomarkers helps identify potential public health concerns.
- Previous data on micronutrient levels in this age group may be limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
- To assess serum concentrations of zinc, retinol-binding protein, and prealbumin.
- To determine the micronutrient status in healthy preschool children aged 9-62 months.
Main Methods:
- A random cluster sample of 467 healthy preschool children was analyzed.
- Micronutrient levels were stratified by socioeconomic status and gender.
- Plasma and serum concentrations of key vitamins and minerals were measured.
Main Results:
- Mean plasma vitamin A: 1.29 µmol/L; vitamin E: 18.9 µmol/L; beta-carotene: 0.30 µmol/L.
- Mean serum zinc: 13.9 µmol/L; retinol-binding protein: 25.5 mg/L; prealbumin: 186.2 mg/L.
- No significant gender-based differences were observed in micronutrient levels.
Conclusions:
- The surveyed preschool population exhibits sufficient levels of key micronutrients.
- Micronutrient deficiency does not appear to be a public health issue in this cohort.
- Findings support adequate nutritional status regarding assessed vitamins and minerals.
Abstract:
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.