Impact of Giardia Intestinalis on Vitamin A Status in Schoolchildren from Northwest Mexico

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quihui-Cota ◽  
Astiazarán-García ◽  
Valencia ◽  
Morales-Figueroa ◽  
Lopez-Mata ◽  
...  

We conducted a cross-sectional study in northwest Mexico in order to investigate the association between giardiasis and serum vitamin A in 40 Giardia-infected and 70 Giardia-free schoolchildren who were covered by a regional school breakfast program. There were no significant differences in age, Z-scores for nutritional indices of height for age, weight for age, or weight for height, socioeconomic conditions (employment and education of the parents, household conditions, sanitation facilities, type of drinking water, and family income), and mean daily intakes of vitamin A in the Giardia-free (899 ± 887 μg) and the Giardia-infected (711 ± 433 μg) groups. A higher concentration of serum retinol was found in the Giardia-free group than in the Giardia-infected group (0.75 μmol/L versus 0.61 μmol/L, respectively; p < 0.0001). Giardia-infected children were more likely to be vitamin A-deficient than the Giardia-free children (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.2–8.5). Although 95% of the children met the daily-recommended intakes of vitamin A, half of them showed subclinical vitamin A deficiency. It is recognized that vitamin A deficiency is multifactorial and giardiasis was a factor significantly associated with this deficiency in this study. Mexican program developers and policymakers should be aware about the distinction between dietary deficiencies and deficiency diseases when current national program strategies for parasitic control and vitamin A supplementation are redesigned.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Hamdy ◽  
M. M. Abdel Aleem ◽  
A. A. El-Shazly

Background. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) during pregnancy represents a major public health problem in developing countries. Anemia is a common consequence of VAD. We aimed to measure serum retinol concentrations of a sample of poor Egyptian mothers and correlate it with their Hb% and cord Hb%. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 200 healthy mothers and their healthy full term newborns. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected for CBC and measurement of serum retinol concentrations. Results. Forty-seven mothers (23.5%) had VAD and 50% were anemic. Mothers with VAD had a significantly lower mean Hb% and a significantly higher frequency of anemia (95.7%) compared to mothers without VAD (35.9%). The relative risk for anemia among mothers with VAD was 2.7 (CI = 2.12–3.3). Newborns of mothers with VAD had a significantly lower mean cord Hb% compared to newborns of mothers without VAD. Maternal serum retinol concentrations were positively correlated with maternal Hb% and cord Hb%. Conclusion. Maternal VAD during pregnancy among poor mothers is associated with maternal anemia and lower Hb% of newborns at birth. Vitamin A supplementation is highly recommended for this vulnerable group.


Author(s):  
F. Lusamaki Mukunda ◽  
E. Solomo ◽  
Mosisi Moleka ◽  
Omekomba Konde ◽  
L. E. Likaka ◽  
...  

Summary: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient needed by the body for various physiological functions. Its deficiency is associated with several functional disorders. The objective of this study is to determine blood vitamin A levels in malnourished and healthy children. Methods: It is a cross-sectional analytical study, consisting of determining the vitamin A content in the blood of children suffering from malnutrition and those in good nutritional status. Our sampling was casual and 59 children aged 6 to 59 months were retained. Among them 30 healthy children chosen from those attending preschool consultation at U HC and 29 malnourished children from those followed at M TNU for the management of malnutrition. The serum vitamin A assay was performed according to the method described by Tietz. Children with serum vitamin A level below 30 μg / 100 ml had vitamin A deficiency and those with a serum level greater than or equal to 30 μg / 100 ml had good vitamin A status. Percent, average and standard deviation calculations were performed. The Chi square statistical test was used to compare serum vitamin A content in healthy and malnourished children, as well as other maternal parameters for a significance level of 0.05.  Results: from 59 children examined, 30 or 50.8% were 6-17 months old, the average age was 21.9 ± 13 months. 45.7% had a serum retinol level between 50-59 μg/100 ml; the average value was 46.84 μg ± 14.27.  The prevalence of VAD was 20.3% and this deficit was more marked in children aged 6-17 months that is 50% (P<0.014). Among 12 children with VAD, 10 or 83.3% were the wealthy and two were the malnourished, the difference was statically significant (P< 0.011). Conclusion: Vitamin A deficiency remains a major health problem in the DRC. This affect all children regardless of their current nutritional status. Supplementation with this vitamin remains one of the palliative solutions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thennakoon M. J. C. Madatuwa ◽  
Sanath T. C. Mahawithanage ◽  
Udumalagala G. Chandrika ◽  
Errol R. Jansz ◽  
Ananda R. Wickremasinghe

The Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka commenced a vitamin A supplementation programme of school children with a megadose of 105 μmol (100 000 IU) vitamin A in school years 1, 4 and 7 (approximately 5-, 9- and 12-year-olds, respectively) in 2001. We evaluated the vitamin A supplementation programme of school children in a rural area of Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study was conducted among children supplemented with an oral megadose of vitamin A (105 μmol; n 452) and children not supplemented (controls; n 294) in Grades 1–5. Children were clinically examined and a sample of blood was taken for serum vitamin A concentration estimation by HPLC. Socio-demographic information was obtained from children or mothers. Supplemented children had a higher proportion of males and stunted children, were younger and lived under poorer conditions as compared to controls. There was no difference in the prevalences of eye signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in the two groups. Supplemented children had higher serum vitamin A concentrations than controls (1·4 (sd 0·49) μmol/l v. 1·2 (sd 0·52) μmol/l). The serum vitamin A concentrations were 1·6 (sd 0·45), 1·4 (sd 0·50), 1·3 (sd 0·44) and 1·1 (sd 0·43) μmol/l in children supplemented within 1, 1–6, 7–12 and 13–18 months of supplementation, respectively. Vitamin A concentrations were significantly greater than controls if supplementation was carried out within 6 months after adjustment. The oral megadose of 105 μmol vitamin A maintained serum vitamin A concentrations for 6 months in school children.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiane Gonçalves Novaes ◽  
Andressa Tavares Gomes ◽  
Karine Chagas Silveira ◽  
Cláudio Lima Souza ◽  
Joel Alves Lamounier ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and factors associated to children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia. Methods: a cross-sectional study involving 303 children aged 24 to 60 months attending public day care centers in the city of Vitória da Conquista, BA. A questionnaire was applied for the parents or legal guardians to answer and the children's height and weight were measured. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum retinol taking in consideration the values below 0.70 imol/L as inadequate. The vaccination card was verified in relation to the adequacy of vitamin A supplementation. Food weighting was done to evaluate the consuming of lipids and vitamin A. The association between the variables and vitamin A deficiency was verified by logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of inadequate serum retinol levels was 13.1% (1.99 ± 1.17 imol/L); 4.3% were low height and 1.2% of thinness. Most children (91.7%) had their vitamin A doses outdated on their vaccination cards. The variables associated to vitamin A deficiency were children aged less or equal to 34 months (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.23 - 5.74) and maternal age was less than 26 years (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.11 - 5.17). Conclusions: vitamin A deficiency configures as a moderate public health problem in children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822198930
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Endo ◽  
Shiro Imagama ◽  
Satoshi Kato ◽  
Takashi Kaito ◽  
Hiroaki Sakai ◽  
...  

Study Design: A sex- and age-matched case-control study and a cross-sectional study. Objective: In our previous study, patients with early-onset (<50 years of age) ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) had distinct features such as morbid obesity, a high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, and diffuse ossified lesions mainly affecting the thoracic spine. Our goals were to determine whether early-onset OPLL patients have unbalanced dietary habits and to identify nutritional factors associated with OPLL exacerbation. Methods: In Study 1, the simple brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) was used to compare nutrient intake levels of early-onset OPLL patients (n = 13) with those of sex- and age-matched non-OPLL controls (n = 39) or with those of common OPLL (onset age ≥ 50 years, n = 62). In Study 2, serological validation was conducted for thoracic OPLL patients (n = 77) and non-OPLL controls (n = 101) in a nationwide multicenter study in Japan. Results: The BDHQ showed that the early-onset OPLL patients had significantly lower intakes of vitamins A and B6 than non-OPLL controls. These results were validated by lower serum vitamins A and B6 levels in the early-onset thoracic OPLL patients. The severity of OPLL negatively correlated with serum vitamin A levels in male early-onset OPLL patients. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the severity of thoracic OPLL had an association with onset age and serum vitamin A level. Conclusions: Vitamin A deficiency resulting from unbalanced dietary habits is associated with exacerbation of male early-onset OPLL.


Author(s):  
Vasantha Rao Sappati ◽  
Sannapaneni Krishnaiah ◽  
Suneetha Sapur

Background: To assess the awareness about breast feeding practices and to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about the signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin A rich foods intake among mothers of children below 5 years in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in South India.Methods: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 mothers (age range 14 to 36 years) during June 2011 and September 2011. A combined simple and systematic random sampling strategy was used to select mothers from one tribal, rural and semi urban area with a representative sample of the Srikakulam district. A standardized structured questionnaire that was developed and validated by the National institute of nutrition, Hyderabad was utilized for this study.Results: The awareness of vitamin A and night blindness was 68.7% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 62.9–74.0) (n=195) and 93.7% (95% CI: 90.2–96.2) (n=266) respectively. The knowledge of signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was nil among illiterate mothers and low among literates; with primary education, adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00, 0.06) and with secondary education, OR: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.62) compared to mothers with graduation and above.Conclusions: There is a need to increase the awareness and knowledge about VAD among mothers with children below 5 years in the southern state of AP.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yidrsail Hune ◽  
Hirut Asaye ◽  
Ayenew Negesse ◽  
Habtamu Temesgen ◽  
Tadesse Yirga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. It fondes both animal and plant sources in the form of retinol from animal sources or beta-carotene from plant source foods. Due to increased nutrient need and the severity of the potential health consequences are associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD), preschool children and pregnant women are considered as the most at risk segments of the community. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of VAD and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Dera woreda, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6-59 months in Dera woreda from December 1/2018 to January 1/2019. Multistage random sampling was used to select the required samples (267). Data were coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was fitted. Both bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with VAD. Those variables that were showed significant association in multivariable association at P value less than 0.05 declared as statistically significant factors of VAD among children age 6-59 months. Results: Two hundred sixty seven mother-children Pairs were included in the study making a response rate of 94.7%. The overall prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency among children age 6-59 months was 7.8% (95% CI (4.7, 11.3). Antenatal care follow up (AOR: 0.446,95 % CI (0.155, 0.980)); birth interval within 2 year (AOR: 0.392, 95 % CI (0.107, 0.839)), and age group of24-35 months (AOR; 1.206, 95 % CI (1.037, 6.129)) were significantly associated with vitamin-A deficiency. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in this study was found to be lower than the national and regional prevalence. According to this study, VAD is a mild public health problem. Age of children, birth interval, ANC follow up, remain the most important associated factors for vitamin A deficiency. Therefore to decrease the prevalence of VAD, ANC service should be strengthened and we should focus on older children birth interval and age- based food needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Getnet Kassa ◽  
Addisalem Mesfin ◽  
Samson Gebremedhin

Abstract Background In low- and middle-income countries routine vitamin A supplementation (VAS) is a key strategy for reducing vitamin A deficiency and mortality and morbidity of preschool children. However, in Ethiopia, there is paucity of evidence regarding the level and determinants of the uptake of the supplement. This study was designed to assess the coverage and predictors of VAS among preschool children in Humbo district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2016. A total of 840 mothers/caregivers having children 6–59 months of age were selected using multistage cluster sampling technique from six rural villages implementing routine VAS program. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Possible predictors considered in the study include distance from the nearby health facility, household socio-economic status, type of the household (model vs non-model), maternal access to health education on VAS, and knowledge on vitamin A and VAS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of uptake of VAS. The outputs are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The coverage of VAS was 75.0% (95% CI: 72.1–77.9). Better knowledge of mothers about the importance of the supplement (AOR: 1.49, 1.02–2.17), obtaining VAS related information from frontline community health workers (AOR: 1.51, 1.34–2.72) than health professionals and being from households in the “rich” wealth tertile (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.07–3.03) were positively associated with uptake VAS. Conclusion The VAS coverage of the area was approaching the expected national target of 80%. However, the uptake can be enhanced though awareness creation and improving socio-economic status of the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  

Background: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It comes retinol from animal sources or beta-carotene from plant source. Vitamin A contains breast milk after the post-weaning period and their increased nutrient demand of children from 6-59 months, they are considered highly affected segments of the community. Hence, study assesses vitamin A deficiency and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Dera district, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was conducted via multistage sampling techniques. Data were coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for analysis. The bivariate and multiple variable logistic regression analyses were fitted. Results: Total response rate 94.7%. Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among children age from 6-59 months was 7.8% (95% CI: 4.7, 11.3). Anti natal care (ANC) follow-up (AOR =0.446:95 % CI; 0.155, 0.980), and birth interval (AOR= 0.392: 95 % CI; 0.107, 0.839), reduces the odds of developing vitamin A deficiency; whereas age group of 36–47 months (AOR= 1.911: 95 % CI; 1.305, 11.969) increases the odds of its deficiency. Conclusion: Age of children, birth interval, ANC follow-up, Post natal care (PNC) follow-up, and place of residence were associated factors for vitamin A deficiency. Therefore more efforts should be encouraged to produce and purchase a variety of foods rich in vitamin A.


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