Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the Diourbel, Fatick, and Kaolack regions of Senegal: epidemiological study.
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.
Carlier
C
C
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U.56 Hôpital de Bicêtre, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Moulia-Pelat
J P
JP
Ceccon
J F
JF
Mourey
M S
MS
Ameline
B
B
Fall
M
M
N'Diaye
M
M
Amédée-Manesme
O
O
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*