A B S T R A C T ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and determine the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with serum retinol levels in public school students.
MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 245 students from the urban and rural areas of the city of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. Socioeconomic data were collected using a form. Serum retinol level was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and classified according to the cut-off points provided by the World Health Organization. All statistical tests had a significance level of 5%.
ResultsThe prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (retinol level <0.70μmol/L) was 9.8% (95%CI=7.9-10.0). The prevalences of low and acceptable retinol levels (<1.05mmol/L) were higher in students aged 12-14 years living in households
Revista de NutriçãoRev. Nutri., Campinas, 30(5):605-614, set./out