Olufunmilola O Abolurin1, Adebanjo J Adegbola2, Oyeku A Oyelami2, Samuel A Adegoke3, Oluseye O Bolaji2. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 3. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) constitutes a major nutritional concern in developing countries. It contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of under-five children and can result in impaired resistance to infection as well as increased risk of death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD among Southwestern Nigerian children. METHODS: Apparently healthy children aged between 6 months and 5 years were recruited for the study. Their serum retinol levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Of the 170 children studied, nine (5.3%) had VAD, although none had severe VAD. The prevalence of VAD did not show statistically significant variation with age (P = 0.159), sex (P = 1.000), social class (P = 0.740), immunisation status (P = 0.197) or nutritional status (P = 0.090). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VAD among Nigerian children appears to have reduced, compared with previous reports; however, further studies are required to assess the current national prevalence, so as to design programmes that can achieve further reduction in the proportion of children affected.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) constitutes a major nutritional concern in developing countries. It contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of under-five children and can result in impaired resistance to infection as well as increased risk of death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD among Southwestern Nigerian children. METHODS: Apparently healthy children aged between 6 months and 5 years were recruited for the study. Their serum retinol levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Of the 170 children studied, nine (5.3%) had VAD, although none had severe VAD. The prevalence of VAD did not show statistically significant variation with age (P = 0.159), sex (P = 1.000), social class (P = 0.740), immunisation status (P = 0.197) or nutritional status (P = 0.090). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VAD among Nigerian children appears to have reduced, compared with previous reports; however, further studies are required to assess the current national prevalence, so as to design programmes that can achieve further reduction in the proportion of children affected.
Entities:
Keywords:
Nigeria; Under-five children; Vitamin A deficiency
Authors: Corrine Hanson; Elizabeth Lyden; Ann Anderson-Berry; Nicholas Kocmich; Amy Rezac; Shirley Delair; Jeremy Furtado; Matthew Van Ormer; N Izevbigie; E K Olateju; Godwin O. Akaba; E A Anigilaje; Thairu Yunusa; Stephen Obaro Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-09-12 Impact factor: 5.717