title: Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the Diourbel, Fatick, and Kaolack regions of Senegal: epidemiological study.
abstract: The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), ocular diseases, and vitamin A deficiency in preschool children selected at random in a rural zone of the groundnut belt of Senegal. The prevalence of PCM was 37.1% (95% CI 33.8-40.2%) according to the Waterlow classification, with a majority of stunting, and prevalence of hypovitaminosis A was estimated to be 11.4% (95% CI 9.3-13.5%) by using impression cytology. Furthermore, 19.4% (95% CI 15.8-22.0%) of the children might be defined at risk of deficiency. The prevalence of Bitot's spots was equal to 0.2% (95% CI 0.03-0.9%). A problem of PCM associated with a health-endangering vitamin A deficiency existed.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U.56 Hôpital de Bicêtre, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carlier
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Moulia-Pelat
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ceccon
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mourey
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ameline
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fall
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: N'Diaye
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Amédée-Manesme
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*