scholarly journals Relationships between vitamin A, iron status and helminthiasis in Bangladeshi school children

2000 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Persson ◽  
F Ahmed ◽  
M Gebre-Medhin ◽  
T Greiner
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
School Children ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Β Carotene

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the relationships between biochemical indicators of vitamin A and iron status and the intestinal helminthsAscaris lumbricoidesand hookworm in primary school children.SettingTwo rural governmental schools in northwestern Bangladesh.DesignCross-sectional study.SubjectsThe sample consisted of 164 children in grades 3–5.MethodsSerum retinol and β-carotene (by high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC), haemoglobin (HemoCue), ferritin (enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, ELIZA) and height and weight were measured. Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and faecal analyses were done using Stoll's egg-count technique.ResultsThe mean serum retinol was 26.8 μg dl−1and 20% had a level of <20 μg dl−1, the cut-off value for low vitamin A status. There was a strong positive association between serum β-carotene and serum retinol (r= 0.44,P<0.001), suggesting those with higher retinol levels had a higher carotene intake. Thirty-one per cent were anaemic (Hb <11.5 g dl−1), 30% had iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12.0 μg l−1) and 14% were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. Children with a serum retinol level of 20 μg dl−1had significantly lower ferritin (14.0 compared to 26.0 μg l−1,P= 0.005) and Hb levels (11.7 compared to 12.4 g dl−1,P= 0.005) than those with higher levels. The proportion of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly greater among children with hookworm. Our data suggest that hookworm exerts its impact on iron status independently of the vitamin A status of the host.ConclusionsProgrammes to improve iron status should consider including both vitamin A prevention programmes and deworming.

scholarly journals The influence of vitamin A status on iron-deficiency anaemia in anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in Myanmar

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 2325-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Kyaw Htet ◽  
Umi Fahmida ◽  
Drupadi Dillon ◽  
Arwin Akib ◽  
Budi Utomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Fe Deficiency ◽  
Subclinical Inflammation ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
High Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was conducted to investigate reasons for the high prevalence of anaemia among adolescent schoolgirls and to elucidate the role of vitamin A in contributing to Fe-deficiency anaemia (IDA).DesignAmong 1269 schoolgirls who were previously screened for anaemia (Hb < 120 g/l), 391 anaemic girls were further assessed for Fe, vitamin A and subclinical inflammation status. Fe and vitamin A indicators were corrected for inflammation and were compared in the Fe-deficient and non-deficient groups as well as between those with and without inflammation. Logistic regression was done to determine whether vitamin A status and subclinical inflammation were risk factors for Fe deficiency. The differences in Fe status among tertiles of vitamin A concentrations were assessed using ANOVA.SettingMyanmar.SubjectsAdolescent schoolgirls (n 391).ResultsOne-third of the anaemia (30·4 %) was IDA. Prevalence of low vitamin A status (serum retinol <1·05 μmol/l) was 31·5 %. Fe and vitamin A status were significantly different between the IDA and non-IDA groups and also based on their inflammation status. Logistic regression showed that low vitamin A status was a significant predictor for being Fe deficient (OR = 1·81; 95 % CI 1·03, 3·19 and OR = 2·31; 1·31, 4·07 in the middle (1·056–1·298 μmol/l) and low (≤1·056 μmol/l) vitamin A tertiles, respectively). ANOVA showed that better Fe status was associated with a higher concentration of serum retinol but only in IDA.ConclusionsFe deficiency was not the main cause of anaemia in the present population. The role of vitamin A as well as other micronutrients should be taken into account in addressing the problem of anaemia.

scholarly journals Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Iron Status Indices and Iron Deficiency Anaemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesham Al-Mekhlafi ◽  
Ebtesam Al-Zabedi ◽  
Mohamed Al-Maktari ◽  
Wahib Atroosh ◽  
Ahmed Al-Delaimy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Nutritional and health status of primary school children in rural Uganda

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (50) ◽  
pp. 5862-5880
Author(s):  
H Acham ◽  
◽  
JK Kikafunda ◽  
T Tylleskar ◽  
MK Malde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Iodine Deficiency ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia

Poor nutrition and health can affect children’s education. The nutritional status of school children (9-15 years) was assessed in Kumi district, Eastern Uganda in 2006-2007. Selection of schools was done using modified cluster sampling involving 34 schools (n=645). Assessments for nutritional status were done anthropometrically (height and weight), biochemically (iron, n=145; iodine, n=87; and vitamin A, n=145) and assessment for health status was done following the formal ether concentration technique for examination for intestinal helminths (n=189) and a quick malaria (n=119) test for malaria parasites. Prevalence rates for stunting, underweight and thinness were 8.7% (95CI 6.7-11.1); 13.0% (95CI 10.6-15.8); and 10.1% (95CI 7.9-12.6), respectively of which males and the older age group of children were more affected. Prevalence rates for iodine deficiency, anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) were 3.4% (95CI 0.9-9.1); 24.1% (95CI 17.7-31.6); 82.1% (95CI 75.2-87.7); and 30.3% (95CI 23.3- 38.2), respectively. Anaemia (measured as haemoglobin status), iron deficiency (measured as serum Ferritin) and VAD (measured as serum retinol) were higher among females (26.3%, 95CI 17.5-36.7; 83.8%, 95CI 74.4-90.7; 33.8%, 95CI 24.0-44.6) compared to males (21.5%, 95CI 12.8-32.8; 80%, 95CI 69.0-88.4; 26.2%, 95CI 16.6-37.8). Geohelminth (S.mansoni & N.americanus) and malaria parasitemia were 4.8% and 46.2%, respectively. Prevalence rates for stunting, iodine deficiency and geohelminth infections were low. The high prevalence rates of wasting/thinness, underweight, iron and vitamin A deficiencies show these as significant public health problems among school children in Kumi district. There is a need to focus attention on nutritional and health conditions of school children to improve their conditions. Much can be done to prevent malaria infection by promoting the use of Insecticide Treated Nets and chemoprophylaxis. The biennial dosage with albendazole for deworming, and universal use of iodized salt in Uganda are success stories that should continue; iron deficiency anaemia can be controlled through nutrition education, provision of nutritious school meals coupled with control of malaria and deworming. Since many children attend school, such services if delivered through school systems would assist those school children who most need them.

scholarly journals Impact of Iron Fortification on Anaemia and Iron Deficiency among Pre-school Children Living in Rural Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Kofi Tchum ◽  
Fareed Kow Arthur ◽  
Bright Adu ◽  
Samuel Asamoah Sakyi ◽  
Latifatu Alhassan Abubakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
School Children ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Iron Group ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Micronutrient Powder ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background Micronutrient interventions, principally vitamin A and zinc supplementation for children, and fortification of foods with iron and iodine, are considered the most cost-effective global development efforts. Multiple micronutrient powder is a mixture of at least iron, zinc and vitamin A used to prevent malnutrition in children and during health emergencies. Micronutrient deficiencies are a universal health burden among young children in developing countries. However, the use of this low cost but sustainable micronutrient powder as an innovative home-fortification approach to control a common nutritional disorder like iron deficiency anaemia among pre-school children living in malaria endemic sub-Saharan Africa is unclear. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of providing long-term continued prophylactic micronutrient powder with iron on the risk of iron deficiency and anaemia among pre-school children living in rural Ghana.Methods This population-based randomized-cluster trial was conducted in the Bono region of Ghana from 3rd April to 6th July 2010. 1958 children were recruited, and 967 randomly assigned to receive prophylactic micronutrient powder with iron and 991 assigned to receive placebo. The trial participants were children aged between 6 to 35 months, identified at home and able to eat semi-solid foods (with or without breast milk). Structured questionnaires were administered, their blood samples were also taken for biochemical analysis. They were randomly assigned to receive daily micronutrient powder without or with iron (12·5 mg) added to complementary meals immediately after enrollment for five months. Each participant also received anti-malaria treated bednet and chemotherapy. Weekly follow up visits were conducted at home or health facility where data on malaria using rapid diagnostic test and hospital admissions were collected. The primary outcome was post supplementation of prophylactic micronutrient powder with iron to mitigate the effects of iron deficiency and anaemia.Results 1958 children were recruited and 967 randomly assigned to receive prophylactic micronutrient powder with iron and 991 assigned to receive placebo. Loss to follow up was 7 % (143), with vital status at 35 months of age reported for 1904 (97.2 %). Anthropometry, anaemia, iron status, demographic characteristics and dietary intakes were similar between the groups at baseline. Baseline haemoglobin level was significantly higher compared to haemoglobin level at endline (p < 0.0001). Though, we recorded an increase in haemoglobin (p = 0.0001) and ferritin (p = 0.0002) levels in the iron group than in the placebo group at the end of the intervention. Soluble transferrin receptor levels were more saturated among children from the iron group compared to placebo group (p = 0.012). Anaemic status in the iron group improved compared to the non-iron group (p = 0.03).Conclusion The risk of childhood morbidity and mortality in rural Ghana is high, mainly due to iron deficiency anaemia. National nutritional policy coupled with the current WHO recommendations are required to support the provision of prophylactic micronutrient powder with iron in order to improve anaemic and iron status among pre-school children in rural Ghana.TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01001871. Registered 27th October 2009, http://www. ClinicalTrials.gov/ NCT01001871

scholarly journals The potential effect of iron defortification on iron-deficiency anaemia in the US population

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1266-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Tao ◽  
David L Pelletier ◽  
Dennis D Miller
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Iron Nutrition ◽  
Deficiency Anaemia ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify the potential effect of iron defortification in the USA on iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA).MethodsMonte Carlo models were built to simulate iron nutrition in the US population. A hypothetical cohort of 15 000 persons from the general population was used in 15-year simulations to compare the prevalence of IDA with and without fortification.ResultsWith iron fortification, the prevalence of IDA was 2.4% for children aged 3–5 years, 5.4% for women aged 20–49 years, and 0.14% for men aged 20–49 years. The corresponding IDA estimates under iron defortification were 4.5%, 8.2% and 0.46%, respectively. Defortification had little effect on the distribution of iron indicators at or above the 50th percentile within each of these three groups and little effect on the distributions of iron indicators among adult men.ConclusionIron defortification is likely to increase IDA among children and women of reproductive age, but is not likely to have meaningful effects on the iron status of men or the majority of women and children.

scholarly journals Cassava with enhanced β-carotene maintains adequate vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) despite substantial cis-isomer content

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Howe ◽  
Bussie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Meriones Unguiculatus ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Mongolian Gerbils ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Isomer Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Efforts to increase β-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-β-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-β-carotene cassava, β-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-β-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1·8 or 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0·05) in the vitamin A (1·45 (sd 0·23) μmol/liver), lower in the control (0·43 (sd 0·10) μmol/liver), but did not differ from the β-carotene group (0·77 (sd 0·12) μmol/liver) when compared with the high-β-carotene cassava group (0·69 (sd 0·20) μmol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3·7 μg β-carotene to 1 μg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-β-carotene [(Z)-β-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. β-Carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as β-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.

scholarly journals Daily consumption of pro-vitamin A biofortified (yellow) cassava improves serum retinol concentrations in preschool children in Nigeria: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-231
Author(s):  
Ibukun Afolami ◽  
Martin N Mwangi ◽  
Folake Samuel ◽  
Erick Boy ◽  
Paul Ilona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Β Carotene

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Pro-vitamin A biofortified (yellow) cassava has the potential to contribute significantly to improve vitamin A status, especially in populations that are difficult to reach with other strategies. Objectives The study aimed at determining the efficacy of biofortified cassava to improve vitamin A status of Nigerian preschool children. Methods An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted in southwestern Nigeria. In total, 176 preschool children (aged 3–5 y) were randomized into 2 parallel arms comprising an experimental group (n = 88), fed foods prepared from biofortified (yellow) cassava, and a control group (n = 88), fed foods prepared from white cassava, twice a day, 6 d a week for 93 d. Results A total of 159 children completed the trial (yellow cassava group, n = 80; white cassava group, n = 79). Children consumed 221 and 74 µg/d retinol activity equivalents from intervention foods in the yellow and white cassava groups, respectively. The treatment effect on serum retinol concentrations at the end of the feeding trial was 0.06 µmol/L (95% CI: 0.004, 0.124 µmol/L), after adjustment for baseline retinol concentrations, inflammation, and asymptomatic malaria status. No significant treatment effects were detected for serum β-carotene (adjusted effect: 3.9%; 95% CI: −0.6%, 8.6%) and gut permeability (adjusted effect: 0.002; 95% CI: −0.089, 0.092), but a significant effect was detected for hemoglobin concentrations (adjusted effect: 3.08 g/L; 95% CI: 0.38, 5.78 g/L). Conclusions Daily consumption of β-carotene from biofortified cassava improved serum retinol and hemoglobin concentrations modestly in Nigerian preschool children. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02627222.

scholarly journals Maize meal fortification is associated with improved vitamin A and iron status in adolescents and reduced childhood anaemia in a food aid-dependent refugee population

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 720-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Seal ◽  
Emmanuel Kafwembe ◽  
Ismail AR Kassim ◽  
Mei Hong ◽  
Annie Wesley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Refugee Camp ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Maize Meal

AbstractObjectiveTo assess changes in the Fe and vitamin A status of the population of Nangweshi refugee camp associated with the introduction of maize meal fortification.DesignPre- and post-intervention study using a longitudinal cohort.SettingNangweshi refugee camp, Zambia.SubjectsTwo hundred and twelve adolescents (10–19 years), 157 children (6–59 months) and 118 women (20–49 years) were selected at random by household survey in July 2003 and followed up after 12 months.ResultsMaize grain was milled and fortified in two custom-designed mills installed at a central location in the camp and a daily ration of 400 g per person was distributed twice monthly to households as part of the routine food aid ration. During the intervention period mean Hb increased in children (0·87 g/dl;P< 0·001) and adolescents (0·24 g/dl;P= 0·043) but did not increase in women. Anaemia decreased in children by 23·4 % (P< 0·001) but there was no significant change in adolescents or women. Serum transferrin receptor (log10-transformed) decreased by −0·082 μg/ml (P= 0·036) indicating an improvement in the Fe status of adolescents but there was no significant decrease in the prevalence of deficiency (−8·5 %;P= 0·079). In adolescents, serum retinol increased by 0·16 μmol/l (P< 0·001) and vitamin A deficiency decreased by 26·1 % (P< 0·001).ConclusionsThe introduction of fortified maize meal led to a decrease in anaemia in children and a decrease in vitamin A deficiency in adolescents. Centralised, camp-level milling and fortification of maize meal is a feasible and pertinent intervention in food aid operations.

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