Iron deficiency anemia has been associated with alterations in child development and psychomotor function, being myelination and dopaminergic functioning especially vulnerable. Iron deficiency, at different ages, has different reversible and irreversible effects on CNS. Anemia has also been related to vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and growth retardation. The aim of the present paper was to determine the coexistence of micronutrient deficiency, iron and vitamin A, and macronutrient deficiency (growth retardation). The sample consisted of 202 Venezuelan children, aged 24-84 month old, (104 girls, 98 boys); Anemia, VAD and growth retardation was evaluated by means of blood hemoglobin concentration analysis, HPLC serum retinol (values <20 microg/dl reveal VAD) and height/age and weight/age Z scores (< or = - 2 SD express stunting and underweight). Prevalence of anemia was 38.11%; VAD, 21.78%; stunting, 14.36% and underweight, 9.40%. Anemia and VAD clustered in 7.92%; anemia + stunting or + underweight coexisted in 5.94% and 2.97%, respectively. Stunting and underweight clustered with VAD in 2.97% and 1.48%. The three-way combination with anemia was only seen with stunting in 0.99% of the sample. The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies remain as significant public health problems which should be simultaneously treated as virtually independent, giving priority to infant, toddler and preschool age groups.

20µg/l. Los datos fueron analizados con SAS, p<0,05. Resultados: La prevalencia de anemia fue 48,65%; DRFe=41,95% y RIFe=13,51%; anemia con DRFe y RIFe=32,43%; y anemia+RFe normal= 16,22%. Adolescentes anémicas+RIFe mostraron IMC significativamente más bajo (p<0,05). Adolescentes con déficit nutricional (25,68%), mostraron anemia+DRFe (5,41%) y DRFe+RIFe (13,52%). Adolescentes con sobrepeso (8,10%), presentaron anemia+DRFe (4,05%). En adolescentes con IMC normal (66,22%), 40,74% presentaron DRFe y RIFe asociado o no con anemia. En adolescentes anémicas+DRFe la prevalencia de microcitosis (21,62%) e hipocromía (22,97%) fue significativamente superior (p=0,0125 y p=0,0104, respectivamente) que la observada en las adolescentes anémicas con RFe normales, y las adolescentes no anémicas con afectación de las reservas de hierro (DRFe y RIFe). Conclusiones: La anemia y la deplecion de las reservas de hierro son alteraciones altamente prevalentes en adolescentes de sexo femenino. La detección temprana podría contribuir como estrategia de salud a la prevención de los trastornos del desarrollo físico e intelectual ocasionados por la carencia de este micronutriente.]]>

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Micronutrient deficiency or "Hidden Hunger" represents the most widespread form of malnutrition in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Vitamin A as a single dose, Zinc and Vitamin A + Zinc on nutritional status, and on serum retinol and zinc levels in schoolchildren. A database total of 80 schoolchildren (girls = 47 and boys = 33) were evaluated about the effect of supplementation with vitamin A (VA), Zinc (Zn) and VA + Zn on nutritional anthropometric status, and on serum retinol and zinc values. Serum retinol concentrations were determined by HPLC, according to Bieri method, considering <20 μg/dL Vitamin A deficiency (DVA), 20-30 μg/dL DVA risk (RDVA) and >30 μg/dL normal VA; serum zinc was analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, considering ≥0.72 μg/dL normal zinc and <0.72 μg/dL zinc deficiency (DZn). Data were analyzed using SAS program Statgraphics XVI, and a significant p < 0.05 was considered. The deficiency of the nutritional consumption of zinc was high in the students, contrary to the consumption of vitamin A which was normal. The observed prevalence of DVA was 6.25%, RDVA 23.75% and DZn 97.50%. The isolated or combined supplementation of vitamin A and Zinc contributes to the maintenance of the anthropometric state; however, they are ineffective in the cases of low consumption of these nutrients to reach optimum circulating values.

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