Iron deficiency and anemia are associated with low retinol levels in children aged 1 to 5 years

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 1 to 5 years and the association of these events and retinol deficiency. Methods: This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study conducted in Vitoria, ES, Brazil, between April and August of 2008, with healthy children aged 1 to 5 years (n = 692) that lived in areas covered by primary healthcare services. Sociodemographic and economic conditions, dietary intake (energy, protein, iron, and vitamin A ingestion), anthropometric data (body mass index-for-age and height-for-age), and biochemical parameters (ferritin, hemoglobin, and retinol serum) were collected. Results: The prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and retinol deficiency was 15.7%, 28.1%, and 24.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a higher prevalence of anemia (PR: 4.62, 95% CI: 3.36, 6.34, p < 0.001) and iron deficiency (PR: 4.51, 95% CI: 3.30, 6.17, p < 0.001) among children with retinol deficiency. The same results were obtained after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic conditions, dietary intake, and anthropometric variables. There was a positive association between ferritin vs. retinol serum (r = 0.597; p < 0.001) and hemoglobin vs. retinol serum (r = 0.770; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Anemia and iron deficiency were associated with low levels of serum retinol in children aged 1 to 5 years, and a positive correlation was verified between serum retinol and serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. These results indicate the importance of initiatives encouraging the development of new treatments and further research regarding retinol deficiency.

Socio-economic and demographic determinants of childhood anemia

“…1,2 The condition leads to the lack of oxygen in organs and tissues, and people with anemia often feel tired, weak, cold, and short of breath. Worldwide, 47.4% of children under 5 years of age are anemic, with the burden being greatest in low-and middle-income countries.…”

Deficiencia de vitamina A y factores asociados en niños preescolares de la periferia de la ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires

“…En América Latina, la prevalencia de DVA en los niños menores de 5 años varía entre menos del 2 % en Guatemala y Nicaragua y el 32 % en Haití. 16 Nuestros resultados son comparables a los de otros realizados en Colombia y Brasil, [17][18] que encontraron que el 24,3 % y el 24,7 % de los niños de entre 1 y 5 años tenían DVA, y superiores a los reportados por otros autores de la región. [19][20][21] Estas diferencias en las prevalencias, probablemente, reflejan las características particulares de cada país o región.…”

Alimentos Fontes De Ferro E Vitamina C Consumidos Entre Lactentes Da Atenção Primária À Saúde

“…O uso de suplementos nutricionais de ferro nos dois primeiros anos de vida é a primeira e mais tradicional estratégia para a prevenção e o tratamento da anemia por deficiência de ferro preconizado no SUS, (9) visto que as necessidades desse nutriente nessa faixa etária são grandes e difíceis de serem atingidas na dieta. Associado a essa suplementação, a vitamina A em níveis adequados no organismo podem contribuir para elevar o ferro orgânico na população (23) .…”