Status of vitamins A and E in schoolchildren in the centre west of Tunisia: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to assess the status of vitamins A and E (VA and VE, respectively) and their main determinants in Tunisian children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population-based study.


METHODS
Kasserine Governorate in the centre west of Tunisia.


METHODS
A total of 7407 children attending the first grade of elementary school were included. VA and VE were assessed by HPLC.


RESULTS
The prevalence of moderate VA deficiency (VAD; <0·70 μmol/l) was 2·3 % and VE deficiency (VED; <6·97 μmol/l) was 5·4 %. Low status in VA (0·70-1·05 μmol/l) and VE (6·97-11·61 μmol/l) was observed in 17 % and 20·2 % of children, respectively. No child exhibited severe VA or VE deficiency (<0·35 and <2·32 μmol/l, respectively). The main predictors of VAD were advanced age (OR = 1·65; 95 % CI 1·13, 2·41; P = 0·05) and sickness within the past 2 weeks (OR = 1·51; 95 % CI 1·09, 2·09; P = 0·01). Predictors of VED were living in the peri-urban region (OR = 1·60; 95 % CI 1·28, 2·01; P < 0·001) and sickness within the past 2 weeks (OR = 0·75; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·94; P = 0·01).


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate VAD and VED were uncommon in Tunisian children. However, low status in VA and/or VE remains frequent. A reinforcement of the national strategies for children's nutrition and health is needed, particularly in disadvantaged regions. Supplementation of VA and VE is not necessary in Tunisia, but food fortification may be beneficial.
Research Unit 05/UR/08-08, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Rabta Hospital, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia.
Samira
S
Fares
Mohamed K
MK
Chahed
Moncef
M
Feki
Chiraz
C
Beji
Pierre
P
Traissac
Jalila
J
El Ati
Naziha
N
Kaabachi
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E