scholarly journals Disproportionate Vitamin A Deficiency in Women of Specific Ethnicities Linked to Differences in Allele Frequencies of Vitamin A-Related Polymorphisms

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1743
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V. Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Metabolism ◽  
Group Methods ◽  
Variant Information ◽  
National Prevalence

Background: While the current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is estimated to be less than 1%, it is suggested that it varies between different ethnic groups and races within the U.S. We assessed the prevalence of VAD in pregnant women of different ethnic groups and tested these prevalence rates for associations with the vitamin A-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele frequencies in each ethnic group. Methods: We analyzed two independent datasets of serum retinol levels with self-reported ethnicities and the differences of allele frequencies of the SNPs associated with vitamin A metabolism between groups in publicly available datasets. Results: Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic pregnant women showed high VAD prevalence in both datasets. Interestingly, the VAD prevalence for Hispanic pregnant women significantly differed between datasets (p = 1.973 × 10−10, 95%CI 0.04–0.22). Alleles known to confer the risk of low serum retinol (rs10882272 C and rs738409 G) showed higher frequencies in the race/ethnicity groups with more VAD. Moreover, minor allele frequencies of a set of 39 previously reported SNPs associated with vitamin A metabolism were significantly different between the populations of different ancestries than those of randomly selected SNPs (p = 0.030). Conclusions: Our analysis confirmed that VAD prevalence varies between different ethnic groups/races and may be causally associated with genetic variants conferring risk for low retinol levels. Assessing genetic variant information prior to performing an effective nutrient supplementation program will help us plan more effective food-based interventions.

scholarly journals Disproportionate vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women of specific ethnicities in the United States and ethnic differences in allele frequencies of polymorphisms of vitamin A-related genes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana J Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
National Prevalence

Abstract BackgroundVitamin A is an essential micronutrient that plays critical roles in many biological functions of the body. The current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the United States is reported to be very low (<1%). However, our recent study in an urban city of the U. S. (the Bronx study) revealed that pregnant women in the Bronx have much higher proportions of VAD than the national prevalence rate. Given that Hispanics (56%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (29%) are the major racial and ethnic groups in the Bronx, we hypothesized that VAD could be more prevalent among pregnant women from specific ethnicities in the U.S. We therefore re-analyzed two independent datasets of serum retinol levels, i.e., the data from the the Bronx study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Moreover, as known polymorphisms have been associated with vitamin A status, we also assessed the differences of minor allele frequencies of these polymorphisms between ethnic groups in publicly available datasets, such as the Allele Frequency Aggregator (ALFA), the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE), and the 1000 Genomes project. FindingsWe found that in both datasets of pregnant women non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic ethnicities have high proportions of VAD compared to non-Hispanic White pregnant women, and this VAD prevalence rate was much higher of the currently estimated national prevalence level. Interestingly, non-Hispanic Black pregnant women showed comparably high proportions of VAD in both datasets. However, pregnant women with Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry in the Bronx dataset have strikingly high proportion of VAD compared to Latin American/Mexican ancestry in NHANES dataset (p= 1.973e-10, 95%CI 0.04 - 0.22, Fisher’s exact test). Furthermore, from the ALFA and the PAGE data analysis, we showed that the known single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located near the RBP4 gene (rs10882272) associated with lower serum retinol levels occurs at higher frequencies in Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry and non-Hispanic Black/African populations compared to Latin American/Mexican ancestry and European populations. In addition, the analysis of minor allele frequency (MAF) of 39 previously reported SNPs associated with vitamin A metabolism showed significantly higher MAF variations between populations of different ancestries than that of randomly selected SNPs (p=0.030, permutation test with 1,000 iterations). ConclusionsWe confirmed that VAD rates in the pregnant women differ between different ethnicities, and that pregnant women in minority groups in the U.S. have much higher VAD rates than the estimated national prevalence level. Moreover, our analysis suggested that ethnic differences in allele frequencies of polymorphisms of vitamin A-related genes might contribute to the observed VAD rate differences. Further genome-wide association studies are needed to assess the influences of specific genetic variation and the different VAD status between different ethnic groups.

scholarly journals Association of genetic variation with disproportionate vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women of certain ethnicities in the United States.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana J Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Serum Retinol

Abstract Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that plays critical roles in many biological functions of the body. Limited access to vitamin A-rich food or supplements severely affects tissue and blood levels of vitamin A. Therefore, low serum vitamin A and poverty levels are strongly associated in vitamin A deficiency (VAD) studies that have focused mainly on developing countries. The current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency in the United States is reported to be very low (<1%). However, several studies, including ours, have suggested that people from certain ethnic groups still face a higher proportion of vitamin A deficiency. We hypothesize that the genetic variations between ethnic groups may associate to the VAD proportional differences between women of different ancestries. To assess the associations, we re-analyzed two independent datasets of serum retinol levels of pregnant women in the United States and three datasets of genotypic information of different ancestries. We found that pregnant women with non-Hispanic Black and with Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry have strikingly high proportions of VAD compared to non-Hispanic White and Latin American/Mexican ancestry. Genotypic analyses showed that the minor allele frequencis of genetic variants that associate to serum retinol levels have significantly higher variations between these different ancestries. Our study revealed that VAD rates in the pregnant women differ between different ancestries and that ancestry-dependent genetic variations might contribute to the differences.

scholarly journals Genetic background contributions to the disproportion of vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women of certain ethnicities in populations of the United States.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana J Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Pregnant Females

Abstract Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that plays critical roles in many biological functions of the body. Limited access to vitamin A-rich food or supplements severely affects tissue and blood levels of vitamin A. Therefore, low serum vitamin A and poverty levels are strongly associated in vitamin A deficiency (VAD) studies that have focused mainly on developing countries. The current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency in the United States is reported to be very low (< 1%). However, several studies, including ours, have suggested that people from certain ethnic groups still face a higher proportion of vitamin A deficiency. Here, we re-analyzed two different datasets of serum retinol levels of pregnant females to assess the VAD status differences between women of different ancestries. We found that pregnant females with non-Hispanic Black and with Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry have strikingly high proportions of vitamin A deficiency. Moreover, we identified candidate genetic variants that associate with the disproportions between these different ancestries. Maternal vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and offspring later in life. Measuring serum retinol levels of pregnant women in the higher risk groups and provision of food interventions based on genetic information to improve the vitamin A status of at-risk women are needed. Our study strongly suggests that emergency actions need to be taken to reduce vitamin A deficiency in specific, at-risk ethnic groups.

Vitamin A deficiency among children younger than 5 y in India: an analysis of national data sets to reflect on the need for vitamin A supplementation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Bhanuprakash Reddy ◽  
Raghu Pullakhandam ◽  
Santu Ghosh ◽  
Naveen K Boiroju ◽  
Shalini Tattari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Indian Children ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
National Prevalence

ABSTRACT Background Biochemical vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is believed to be a serious public health problem (low serum retinol prevalence &gt;20%) in Indian children, justifying universal high-dose vitamin A supplementation (VAS). Objective To evaluate in Indian children younger than 5 y the risk of biochemical VAD from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, as well as dietary vitamin A inadequacy and excess over the tolerable upper limit of intake (TUL) from national and subnational surveys, factoring in fortification and VAS. Methods Child serum retinol data, corrected for inflammation, were examined to evaluate national- and state-level prevalence of VAD. Simultaneously, dietary intakes from the National Sample Survey Office and the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau were examined for risk of dietary vitamin A deficiency against its average requirement (AR) derived for Indian children. Theoretical estimates of risk reduction with oil and milk vitamin A fortification were evaluated along with the risk of exceeding the TUL, as well as when combined with intake from VAS. Results The national prevalence of biochemical VAD measured in 9563 children was 15.7% (95% CI: 15.2%, 16.3%), and only 3 states had prevalence significantly &gt;20%. The AR of vitamin A was 198 and 191 µg/d for boys and girls; the risk of dietary inadequacy was ∼70%, which reduced to 25% with oil and milk fortification. Then, the risk of exceeding the TUL was 2% and 1% in 1- to 3-y-old and 4- to 5-y-old children, respectively, but when the VAS dose was added to this intake in a cumulative 6-mo framework, the risk of exceeding the TUL rose to 30% and 8%, respectively. Conclusion The national prevalence of VAD risk is below 20% in Indian children. Because there is risk of excess intake with food fortification and VAS, serious consideration should be given to a targeted approach in place of the universal VAS program in India.

scholarly journals Extent of vitamin A deficiency among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1326-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lee ◽  
Faruk Ahmed ◽  
Shoko Wada ◽  
Tahmeed Ahmed ◽  
AM Shamsir Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Capita Expenditure ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Per Capita

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh, and examine the relationship between various factors and vitamin A status.SettingCommunity Nutrition Promoter (CNP) centres in Kapasia sub-district of Gazipur district, Bangladesh.DesignA cross-sectional study.Subjects and methodsTwo hundred women, aged 18–39 years, in their second or third trimester of pregnancy were selected from seventeen CNP centres in four unions of Kapasia sub-district where they usually visit for antenatal care. Various socio-economic, personal and pregnancy-related information, dietary intake of vitamin A and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) data were collected. Serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined.ResultsMore than half (51 %) of the pregnant women had low vitamin A status (serum retinol <1·05 μmol/l) with 18·5 % having VAD (serum retinol <0·70 μmol/l). Fifty-three per cent of the women’s vitamin A intake was less than the recommended dietary allowance. By multiple regression analysis, MUAC, per-capita expenditure on food and wealth index were found to have significant independent positive relationship with serum retinol concentration, while gestational age of the pregnant women had a negative relationship. The overall F-ratio (10·3) was highly significant (P = 0·0001), the adjusted R2 was 0·18 (multiple R = 0·45).ConclusionVAD is highly prevalent among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh. Gestational age, nutritional status, per-capita expenditure on food and wealth index appear to be important in influencing the vitamin A status of these women. An appropriate intervention is warranted in order to improve the vitamin A status.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women Receiving Prenatal Care at a Reference Maternity Hospital in Northeastern Brazil

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Bastos Maia ◽  
Maria Costa Caminha ◽  
Suzana Lins da Silva ◽  
Alex Rolland Souza ◽  
Camila Carvalho dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
The Third

Vitamin A is essential for mother and child; however, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a public health issue in various countries, affecting around 19 million pregnant women. In Brazil, the scarcity and inconsistency of data have prevented the prevalence and epidemiological status of VAD from being established. This study aimed to analyze vitamin A nutritional status in women receiving prenatal care at a reference center in northeastern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 676 women. Serum retinol was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Subclinical infection was detected by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP). The World Health Organization criteria were used in the prevalence analysis, VAD classification level, and CRP effect evaluation. The prevalence of VAD (serum retinol <0.70 μmol/L) was 6.2% (95% confidence interval 4.5–8.3). In the univariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with VAD (p < 0.05) were having <12 years of schooling, being in the third trimester of pregnancy, and anemia. In the final multivariate model, the variables that remained significantly associated (p < 0.05) were being in the third trimester of pregnancy and anemia. VAD constituted a mild public health problem in this sample of pregnant women and was associated with the third trimester of pregnancy and maternal anemia.

Research Recommendations for Applying Vitamin A-Labelled Isotope Dilution Techniques to Improve Human Vitamin A Nutrition

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo ◽  
Anura V. Kurpad ◽  
Janet R. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Total Body

The current use of serum retinol concentrations as a measurement of subclinical vitamin A deficiency is unsatisfactory for many reasons. The best technique available for vitamin A status assessment in humans is the measurement of total body pool size. Pool size is measured by the administration of retinol labelled with stable isotopes of carbon or hydrogen that are safe for human subjects, with subsequent measurement of the dilution of the labelled retinol within the body pool. However, the isotope techniques are time-consuming, technically challenging, and relatively expensive. There is also a need to assess different types of tracers and doses, and to establish clear guidelines for the use and interpretation of this method in different populations. Field-friendly improvements are desirable to encourage the application of this technique in developing countries where the need is greatest for monitoring the risk of vitamin A deficiency, the effectiveness of public health interventions, and the potential of hypervitaminosis due to combined supplement and fortification programs. These techniques should be applied to validate other less technical methods of assessing vitamin A deficiency. Another area of public health relevance for this technique is to understand the bioconversion of β-carotene to vitamin A, and its relation to existing vitamin A status, for future dietary diversification programs.

Vitamin A Supplementation and Measles

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 358-359
Author(s):  
Glenn J. Fennelly
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation

Vitamin A deficiency resulting from inadequate intake or induced by infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Measles, the major single infectious cause of mortality in children worldwide, is more severe in children who have preexisting vitamin A deficiency. Several recent studies suggest that: 1) measles is associated with depressed serum levels of vitamin A; 2) hyporetinemia, defined as a serum retinol of less than 0.7 µmol/L, is associated with increased mortality from measles, especially in children younger than 2 years of age; and 3) vitamin A will decrease the risk of complications and death when administered during the acute phase of illness (within 5 days of the onset of rash).

scholarly journals SEANUTS: the nutritional status and dietary intakes of 0.5–12-year-old Thai children

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (S3) ◽  
pp. S36-S44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipa Rojroongwasinkul ◽  
Kallaya Kijboonchoo ◽  
Wanphen Wimonpeerapattana ◽  
Sasiumphai Purttiponthanee ◽  
Uruwan Yamborisut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Serum Retinol

In the present study, we investigated nutritional status and health-related factors in a multistage cluster sample of 3119 Thai urban and rural children aged 0·5–12·9 years. In a subsample, blood samples were collected for the measurement of Hb, transferrin receptor, vitamin A and vitamin D concentrations. The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural children than in urban children, whereas the wasting rate was similar in both rural and urban areas. Among children aged 3·0–5·9 years, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas and so was the obesity rate in children aged 6·0–12·9 years. Protein intakes of all age groups were relatively high in both the areas. Intakes of Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin C were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The prevalence of anaemia in rural areas was twice as high as that in urban areas, particularly in infants and young children. However, the prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia was similar in both urban and rural areas. While the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 0·7 μmol/l) seemed to be very low, vitamin A insufficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 1·05 μmol/l) was more prevalent (29·4–31·7 %) in both the areas. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency ranged between 27·7 and 45·6 % among the children. The present study indicates that the double burden of malnutrition is still a major public health problem in Thailand. Further studies need to explore the associated risk factors for these nutrient deficiencies. Effective strategies and actions are needed to tackle the nutritional problems in Thai children.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Vitamin A Deficiency among Children and Women in Senegal

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mane Hélène Faye ◽  
Nicole Idohou-Dossou ◽  
Abdou Badiane ◽  
Anta Agne-Djigo ◽  
Papa Mamadou DD Sylla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Subclinical Inflammation ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Factors Associated

Background: Like many developing countries, Senegal does not have data on the extent of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) that is representative of its population. The present survey was conducted to fill this gap and to identify factors associated with VAD, prior to the introduction of a large-scale vitamin A oil fortification program. Procedures: A nationwide representative cross-sectional survey involving 1887 children 12 to 59 months old and 1316 women of reproductive age (WRA) was conducted. Blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of retinol (PR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha-1-acidglycoprotein were measured. PR was adjusted for subclinical inflammation using the BRINDA regression methodology. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with VAD. Findings: The adjusted prevalence of VAD (PR ≤ 0.7 μmol/L) in children was 15.3% and differed by age group, area of residence, and socioeconomic status and half of them had subclinical inflammation. Among WRA, VAD was low (2.3%) and 18.1% had vitamin A insufficiency (VAI). Pregnant women were more affected by VAI (28.4%) and Dakar had lower figures compared with other cities and rural strata. Prevalence of VAI decreased with increasing wealth quintile. In logistic regression, abnormal CRP, poverty, scarce consumption of poultry, oysters, melon, red palm oil, palm kernel oil, Saba senegalensis fruit pulp (Maad) and cowpea, frequent consumption of leeks and consumption of Leptadenia hastata leaves (Mbuum tiakhat), were associated with VAD in children. For women, lower socioeconomic status, fair or poor health status and anemia were negatively associated with VAI. Conclusions: In Senegal, VAD is a moderate public health problem in children and slight among women. Particular attention should be paid to children older than 23 months, pregnant women, rural populations, and poorest households. Nutritional interventions should be implemented alongside morbidity prevention and control. Keywords: vitamin A deficiency, children 12-59 months, women of reproductive age, Senegal.

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