Nutritional stunting in Egypt: which nutrient is responsible?
We looked at the relationship between linear growth retardation and deficiencies of certain nutrients in Egyptian children. A group of 107 stunted children aged between 10 and 18 years were subjected to history-taking, physical examination and laboratory investigations. Selected cases were referred to radiology for assessment of bone age. Thirty-nine children were enrolled as controls. Serum haemoglobin, alpha-tocopherol, retinol and magnesium levels were significantly decreased in stunted children compared with the controls. Serum zinc levels were also lower in the stunted group but not significantly so. We conclude that several nutrient deficiencies occur simultaneously in stunted children and all of them may be responsible for stunting.
Ibrahim
S A
SA
Department of Research and Field Study, Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt.
Abd el-Maksoud
A
A
Nassar
M F
MF
D000886:Anthropometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000150:complications; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012279:Rickets / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency
D006454:Hemoglobins; D015032:Zinc