title: Serum vitamin A in relation to socio-economic, demographic and dietary characteristics in Bangladeshi children.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine socio-economic conditions, demographic factors, use of vitamin A capsules and dietary practices in relation to the risk of low serum vitamin A. One hundred and twenty four night blind cases were identified by parents in a cross-sectional survey in Bangladesh in 1992. Age-, sex- and neighbourhood-matched controls were selected. Venous blood was collected from 87 cases and 97 controls for the determination of serum vitamin A. Information about socio-economic conditions, demographic factors, use of vitamin A capsules and dietary practices was obtained by interview. The level of serum vitamin A was strongly related to age and consumption of beta-carotene rich foods. The preschool years (2-6 years) are important risk periods for vitamin A deficiency among children. We conclude that long-term prevention of vitamin A deficiency should rely on efforts to improve local diet.
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kvăle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002214:Capsules; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D014801:Vitamin A