Vitamin E deficiency and associated factors among Brazilian school children

Objective: Brazilian national data show a significant deficiency in pediatric vitamin E consumption, but there are very few studies evaluating laboratory-proven nutritional deficiency. The present study aimed to settle the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency (VED) and factors associated among school-aged children attended at a primary health unit in Ribeirão Preto (SP). Methods: A cross-sectional study that included 94 children between 6 and 11 years old. All subjects were submitted to vitamin E status analysis. To investigate the presence of factors associated with VED, socioeconomic and anthropometric evaluation, determination of serum hemoglobin and zinc levels, and parasitological stool exam were performed. The associations were performed using Fisher's exact test. Results: VED (α-tocopherol concentrations <7 μmol/L) was observed in seven subjects (7.4%). None of them had zinc deficiency. Of the total of children, three (3.2%) were malnourished, 12 (12.7%) were anemic, and 11 (13.5%) presented some pathogenic intestinal parasite. These possible risk factors, in addition to maternal-work, maternal educational level, and monthly income, were not associated with VED. Conclusions: The prevalence of VED among school-aged children attended at a primary health unit was low. Zinc deficiency, malnutrition, anemia, pathogenic intestinal parasite, maternal-work, maternal educational level, and monthly income were not a risk factor for VED.

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Vitamin E Deficiency Is Associated with Reduced Handgrip Strength in Rural Nepalese Children

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa067_032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1805-1805

Author(s):

Sabi Gurung ◽

Kerry Schulze ◽

Lee Wu ◽

Subarna Khatry ◽

Manfred Eggersdorfer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Southern Plains ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Nutrition Research ◽

Gates Foundation

Abstract Objectives Vitamin E deficiency (VED), common in areas of rural South Asia, can affect neuromuscular health. This study determined the extent of VED and its association with neuromuscular function, indicated by hand grip strength, in Nepalese school aged children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a birth cohort of 6–8 year old children, born during an earlier maternal micronutrient trial, in Sarlahi District in the southern plains (Tarai) of Nepal. Assessments included anthropometry (height, weight, MUAC), handgrip strength by hydraulic dynamometry, plasma α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations by HPLC, other nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers, diet and SES. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Results In 998 children, mean (+SD) α- and γ-tocopherol levels were 12.21 (+3.27) μmol/L and 1.50 (+0.70), μmol/L respectively. α-Tocopherol distributions were comparable in females (12.34 ± 3.29 μmol/L) and males (12.09 ± 3.24), with 51.9% of all children classified as VED (plasma α-tocopherol < 12 μmol/L). Plasma γ-tocopherol was higher in females than males (1.56 ± 0.72 vs 1.44 ± 0.67, P < 0.01). Handgrip strength (in kg) was higher in males (7.25 ± 2.14) than females (6.44 ± 2.00) (P < 0.001), which also increased with age. In a continuous multivariable model, adjusted for sex and age, handgrip strength increased with plasma α-tocopherol (βα = 0.054 kg/μmol/L (95% CI: 0.0149–0.0926), P < 0.001). Age-sex adjusted handgrip strength was 0.328 (95% CI: 0.015–0.093) kg lower in VED vs non-deficient children (P < 0.01), but was unrelated to plasma γ-tocopherol. There were no interactions in handgrip strength and vitamin E status by sex. Conclusions Vitamin E deficiency is common and is associated with neuromuscular weakness in young, school aged children in southern Nepal, evident by a lower handgrip strength. Funding Sources Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (GH614, OPP5241), Seattle, WA with assistance from the Sight and Life Global Nutrition Research Institute, Baltimore, MD.

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