Clinical and sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency among rural pre-school children of Maharashtra, India.
Ann Hum Biol
; 35(6): 606-14, 2008.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18958633
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although a national vitamin A prophylaxis programme has been in operation for more than three decades, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) continues to be a major nutritional problem of public health significance in India.AIM:
The present study was carried out with the aim of assessing the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical VAD among rural pre-school children. SUBJECTS ANDMETHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural areas of Maharashtra State during 2002-2003. A total of 8646 pre-school children were examined for the presence of signs and symptoms of VAD. A sub-sample (494) of them was used to estimate blood vitamin A levels.RESULTS:
The prevalence of Bitot's spots (1.3%) and night blindness (1.1%) was higher than the WHO cut-off levels used to define a public health problem, and it increased significantly (p<0.001) with increase in age. The prevalence of Bitot's spots was 13 times higher among children belonging to the Scheduled Caste (OR=12.8), and 20 times higher among the children of labourers (OR=19.8). The prevalence of sub-clinical VAD (55%) was significantly (p<0.001) high among the children with night blindness (100%) and Bitot's spots (89%).CONCLUSIONS:
Increased vitamin A supplementation, health and nutrition education and consumption of vitamin A rich foods are essential to prevent VAD.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Deficiência de Vitamina A
/
Saúde da População Rural
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Hum Biol
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Índia