Mild riboflavin deficiency is highly prevalent in school-age children but does not increase risk for anaemia in Côte d'Ivoire.
There are few data on the prevalence of riboflavin deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa, and it remains unclear whether riboflavin status influences the risk for anaemia. The aims of this study were to: (1) measure the prevalence of riboflavin deficiency in children in south-central Côte d'Ivoire; (2) estimate the riboflavin content of the local diet; and (3) determine if riboflavin deficiency predicts anaemia and/or iron deficiency. In 5- to 15-year-old children (n 281), height, weight, haemoglobin (Hb), whole blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC), serum retinol, C-reactive protein (CRP) and prevalence of Plasmodium spp. (asymptomatic malaria) and Schistosoma haematobium (bilharziosis) infections were measured. Three-day weighed food records were kept in twenty-four households. Prevalence of anaemia in the sample was 52%; 59% were iron-deficient based on an elevated ZPP concentration, and 36% suffered from iron deficiency anaemia. Plasmodium parasitaemia was found in 49% of the children. Nineteen percent of the children were infected with S. haematobium. Median riboflavin intake in 5- to 15-year-old children from the food records was 0.42 mg/d, approximately 47% of the estimated average requirement for this age group. Prevalence of riboflavin deficiency was 65%, as defined by an EGRAC value > 1.2. Age, elevated CRP and iron deficiency were significant predictors of Hb. Riboflavin-deficient children free of malaria were more likely to be iron deficient (odds ratio; 3.07; 95% CI 1.12, 8.41). In conclusion, nearly two-thirds of school-age children in south-central Côte d'Ivoire are mildly riboflavin deficient. Riboflavin deficiency did not predict Hb and/or anaemia, but did predict iron deficiency among children free of malaria.
Rohner
Fabian
F
Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, 8092 Ziirich, Switzerland. fabian.rohner@ilw.agrl.ethz.ch
Zimmermann
Michael B
MB
Wegmueller
Rita
R
Tschannen
Andreas B
AB
Hurrell
Richard F
RF
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D049628:Body Size; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012257:Riboflavin Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D017678:Sex Distribution
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012256:Riboflavin