The vitamin A status of Zambian children attending an under five clinic as evaluated by the modified relative dose response (MRDR) test.
The vitamin A status of 87 children, 7-29 months of age, who were randomly selected from attendees at a pediatric clinic in Ndola, Zambia, were evaluated by the modified relative dose response (MRDR) test. By using a MRDR ratio cut-off point of 0.06, 78% of the children had inadequate vitamin A status. Both male and female children were equally affected. Of those with inadequate vitamin A status, 82% were between 7-19 months of age. A significant inverse relationship (p < 0.005) existed between vitamin A inadequacy and Z scores for height for age, weight for age and weight for height. Children with lower Z scores showed a better vitamin A status in comparison to those with a higher Z score. This unexpected relationship is probably due to an increased demand for vitamin A in children with a higher weight and rapid growth rate. Serum vitamin A values correlated poorly with MRDR values except at extreme ends of the distribution. Although clinical vitamin A deficiency is relatively infrequent in Zambia, we conclude that the vitamin A status of our children nonetheless needs to be improved.
Kafwembe
E M
EM
Tropical Diseases Research Center (TDRC), Ndola, Zambia.
Sukwa
T Y
TY
Manyando
C
C
Mwandu
D
D
Chipipa
J
J
Chipaila
P
P
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015024:Zambia
C024366:vitamin A2; D014801:Vitamin A