Use of the deuterated-retinol-dilution technique to monitor the vitamin A status of Nicaraguan schoolchildren 1 y after initiation of the Nicaraguan national program of sugar fortification with vitamin A.
BACKGROUND
Nicaragua initiated a national program of vitamin A fortification of its domestic sugar supply starting with the 1999-2000 sugarcane harvest.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to document any change in the vitamin A status of a cohort of children during the first year of the program.


METHODS
The vitamin A status of 21 Nicaraguan schoolchildren (mean age: 6.7 y; range: 5.3-9.3 y) was assessed in March 2000 and in March 2001. Total-body vitamin A stores and liver vitamin A concentrations were estimated with the deuterated-retinol-dilution (DRD) technique at a dose of 5 mg [(2)H(4)]retinyl acetate at baseline and 5 mg [(2)H(8)]retinyl acetate during the repeat test 1 y later. Plasma retinol and carotenoids were measured by HPLC.


RESULTS
Median total-body vitamin A stores increased from 0.33 to 0.72 mmol (P = 0.0001), liver vitamin A concentrations from 0.52 to 0.78 mumol/g (P = 0.0003), and plasma retinol concentrations increased from 0.97 to 1.17 mumol/L (P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The vitamin A status of Nicaraguan schoolchildren improved during the year after the initial distribution of vitamin A-fortified sugar in Nicaragua.
Ribaya-Mercado
Judy D
JD
Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. judy.ribaya-mercado@tufts.edu
Solomons
Noel W
NW
Medrano
Yadira
Y
Bulux
Jesus
J
Dolnikowski
Gregory G
GG
Russell
Robert M
RM
Wallace
Charles B
CB
D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007201:Indicator Dilution Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D009527:Nicaragua; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D002241:Carbohydrates; D014801:Vitamin A