Deficiencia de vitamina A en niños preescolares: un problema reemergente en Costa Rica? / Vitamin A deficiency among preschool children: a re-emerging problem in Costa Rica?

ABSTRACT

Based on the 1996 National Nutrition Survey, this study shows the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among 567 Costa Rican urban and rural 12-83 months old-children. In overall, the prevalence of VAD (plasma retinol < or = 20 micrograms/dl) was 8.8 per cent. No difference was found even when data were analyzed by area and gender. Around 30 per cent of preschool children were at risk of VAD (plasma retinol between 20.1-30 micrograms/dl). The proportion of children at risk for retinol deficiency was significantly higher in rural area in comparison with urban area (38.9 per cent and 28.0 per cent respectively, p < 0.05). Lineal regression analysis showed that plasma retinol levels were negatively related to the number of family members and positively related to mother's schooling. Our results suggest a possible impairment in vitamin A status of preschool children.