Global Burden of Vitamin A Deficiency in 204 Countries and Territories from 1990–2019

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the important public health issues worldwide. However, a detailed understanding of the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to VAD in recent years is lacking. We aimed to estimate the incidence and DALYs of VAD at global, regional, and national levels in terms of sex, age, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was measured to assess trends in the age-standardized incidence and DALY rates from 1990 to 2019. The global age-standardized incidence and DALY rates of VAD decreased with an EAPC of −3.11% (95% confidence interval (CI): −3.24% to −2.94%) and −2.18% (95% CI: −2.38% to −1.93%), respectively. The age-standardized incidence and DALY rates decreased least in low-SDI regions, which had the highest age-standardized incidence and DALY rates of all SDI regions. Sub-Saharan Africa, especially central sub-Saharan Africa, had the highest age-standardized incidence and DALY rates in 2019. At the national level, Somalia and Niger had the highest age-standardized incidence and DALY rates. The age-standardized incidence and DALY rates were higher in males than in females. Younger children, especially those aged < 5 years in low-SDI regions, had a higher VAD burden than other age groups. Although the global burden of VAD has decreased, future work should aim to improve the prevention and treatment strategies for VAD, particularly in children aged < 5 years in countries and territories with low SDI values, such as sub-Saharan Africa.

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and its public health significance in children in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and modelling analysis

“…In the GBD 2019 study, which utilised 46 data sources, a global age standardised prevalence of VAD was estimated to be 7.0%, accounting for 23.1 million cases. The highest prevalence rates were indicated in Central and Eastern sub-Saharan Africa, with rates of 25.9% and 23.5%, respectively [8,19,20]. It is important to note that these significantly lower estimates in GBD 2019 may have been influenced by various factors, such as data availability, model assumptions, analytical methods, and especially the case definitions employed, which were based on a combination of low serum retinol concentration (<0.7 μmol / l) and blindness and vision loss due to VAD.…”

“…The 2009 WHO report [4] and 2013 global study by Stevens et al [1] provide important information on the epidemiology of VAD, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation have continued to provide annual updates as part of the global burden of disease (GBD) project [7,8]. Despite these efforts, there is a need for continued understanding of the epidemiology of VAD in many LMICs in order to support many ongoing local and international efforts targeted at child malnutrition and VAD [9].…”

“Dual‐pressure theory” in pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy from the Beijing intracranial and intraocular pressure study

“…Vitamin A deficiency, primarily caused by insufficient VA intake, is a 16 -EYE & ENT RESEARCH common public health issue worldwide [72]. Previous studies revealed that a low dietary intake of retinol equivalents is associated with an increased risk of glaucoma in Europeans [73], Africans [74], and Japanese Americans [75].…”

“…Vitamin A (VA) is a generic term for a group of organic compounds that include retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and provitamin A carotenoids. Vitamin A deficiency, primarily caused by insufficient VA intake, is a common public health issue worldwide [72]. Previous studies revealed that a low dietary intake of retinol equivalents is associated with an increased risk of glaucoma in Europeans [73], Africans [74], and Japanese Americans [75].…”

Quantification of Vitamin A in Edible Oils: Comparison of Portable Device iCheck Chroma3 to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

“…Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is an issue of global public health concern, affecting about three billion people, mainly in developing countries, with a third of all those affected being children between 6 months and 5 years old ( https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/vitamin-a-deficiency/# ), (Renaud et al 2013 ; Akhtar et al 2013 ; Zhao et al 2022 ). Vitamin A—a fat-soluble vitamin—plays a vital role in health functions such as improved cell division, immunity cell growth, differentiation of cells, development of embryos, and general growth (McLaren and Frigg 2001 ).…”