Serum Vitamin A Content among Malnourished and Healthy Children in Kisangani City, DRC

Mukunda, F. Lusamaki and Solomo, E. and Moleka, Mosisi and Konde, Omekomba and Likaka, L. E. and Litua, Bosuandole and Kalenga, A. Kayisu and Agasa, S. Batina and Tshilumba, C. Kayembe (2019) Serum Vitamin A Content among Malnourished and Healthy Children in Kisangani City, DRC. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 9 (3). pp. 269-276. ISSN 2347-5641

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Abstract

Summary: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient needed by the body for various physiological functions. Its deficiency is associated with several functional disorders. The objective of this study is to determine blood vitamin A levels in malnourished and healthy children.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional analytical study, consisting of determining the vitamin A content in the blood of children suffering from malnutrition and those in good nutritional status. Our sampling was casual and 59 children aged 6 to 59 months were retained. Among them 30 healthy children chosen from those attending preschool consultation at U HC and 29 malnourished children from those followed at M TNU for the management of malnutrition. The serum vitamin A assay was performed according to the method described by Tietz. Children with serum vitamin A level below 30 μg / 100 ml had vitamin A deficiency and those with a serum level greater than or equal to 30 μg / 100 ml had good vitamin A status. Percent, average and standard deviation calculations were performed. The Chi square statistical test was used to compare serum vitamin A content in healthy and malnourished children, as well as other maternal parameters for a significance level of 0.05.

Results: from 59 children examined, 30 or 50.8% were 6-17 months old, the average age was 21.9 ± 13 months. 45.7% had a serum retinol level between 50-59 μg/100 ml; the average value was 46.84 μg ± 14.27. The prevalence of VAD was 20.3% and this deficit was more marked in children aged 6-17 months that is 50% (P<0.014). Among 12 children with VAD, 10 or 83.3% were the wealthy and two were the malnourished, the difference was statically significant (P< 0.011).

Conclusion: Vitamin A deficiency remains a major health problem in the DRC. This affect all children regardless of their current nutritional status. Supplementation with this vitamin remains one of the palliative solutions.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: AP Academic Press > Agricultural and Food Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@apacademicpress.com
Date Deposited: 14 Apr 2023 05:50
Last Modified: 16 Sep 2024 09:59
URI: http://info.openarchivespress.com/id/eprint/878

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