INFLUENCE OF SOME ESSENTIAL MICROELEMENTS ON GROWTH AND HEALTH OF CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS IN SOFIA
Journal Title: Българско списание за обществено здраве (Bulgarian Journal of Public Health) - Year 2012, Vol 0, Issue 1
Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies of certain essential micronutrients in children under 5 years in Sofia, and their relation to growth and health. Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective epidemiological study on nutrition and nutritional status of a representative sample of 671 children aged 0 to 5 years was conducted in Sofia (2007). Anemia in infants and one third of the children aged 1 to 5 years was assessed by hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in peripheral blood. In a subsample of 189 children aged 1 to 5 years the following parameters were investigated: 1. evaluation of iron status (serum Fe, TIBC, serum Ferritin, sTf; complete blood count), 2. CRP; 3. serum levels of vitamin A, Zn, Se. Body weight and height of the studied children were measured using a standard methodology. The assessment of nutritional status was carry out by anthropometric indices height-for-age (HA), weight-for-age (WA), weight-forheight (WH) and body mass index- for-age (BMI). Results: The relative rate of children aged 1 to 5 years from Sofia with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) (serum vitamin A < 0.35 ìmol/L) was 2.8%, with zinc deficiency (serum Zn < 110 µmol/l) - 7.7% and selenium deficiency (Se < 454,7 nmol/L) - 1.9%. In 18.4% of children the values of vitamin A in serum were from 0.35 ìmol/L to 0.70 ìmol/ L (marginal VAD). Children aged 1 to 5 years from Sofia can not be identified as a risk population group for zinc deficiency, VAD and selenium deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency were statistically significantly associated with increased morbidity in children and increased risk of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: Reliable data on the prevalence, magnitude and negative effects of nutritional deficiencies on health and growth of children from Sofia are base for an effective nutritional policy. Nutritional deficiencies associated with inadequate dietary intake of some of the essential micronutrients carry a risk for the growth and health of young children.
Authors and Affiliations
Lalka Rangelova, Stefka Petrova, Kamen Tzatchev, Bisera Atanassova
Keywords
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