title: Micronutrient deficiency disorders among the rural children of West Bengal, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple micronutrient deficiencies continue to be a major nutritional problem of public health significance in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among rural children of West Bengal, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 9228 and 437 pre-school children, respectively, for assessment of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and anaemia. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) were assessed in 3490 children of 6-12 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of Bitot's spots, an objective sign of clinical VAD, was 0.6% and was significantly (p < 0.01) higher among children of 3-5 years. Prevalence of blood vitamin A deficiency ( < 20 μg/dL) was 61% and ∼81% of children were anaemic. About 25% children had both sub-clinical VAD and anaemia. The children of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (OR = 2.3: 95% CI = 1.3-3.9) were at higher risk of anaemia, whereas children of Scheduled Tribe (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.1-10.5) and 3-5 years (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) were at risk for VAD. The prevalence of goitre was 9%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micronutrient deficiencies were found to be of public health significance among rural children of West Bengal. Therefore, there is a need to initiate sustainable long-term interventions for prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India. arlappan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arlappa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laxmaiah
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balakrishna
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harikumar
authors.forename: Mallikharjuna Rao
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kodavanti
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Gal Reddy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saradkumar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravindranath
authors.forename: G N V
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Brahmam
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000172:deficiency*; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D014801:Vitamin A; D007455:Iodine