title: Vitamin A deficiency and associated factors in children in urban areas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and its associated factors in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional population-based study, involving 1,211 children of both sexes, aged between six and 59 months old, was carried out in the urban zone of 9 cities in the state of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. Vitamin A status was assessed by serum retinol levels (high performance liquid chromatography - HPLC) and subclinical infection was assessed by C-reactive protein concentrations. Socioeconomic, demographic and sanitation conditions, as well as vitamin A supplement intake, were also evaluated. Children with serum retinol concentrations
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 21.8% (95%CI 19.6;24.2), showing an association with subclinical infection and lack of indoor plumbing. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 21.8% (95%CI 19.6;24.2). After adjustment, vitamin A deficiency was found to be linked with subclinical infection and lack of indoor plumbing. Vitamin A deficiency was four times higher (CI95% 1.49;10.16) in children with subclinical infection whose homes were without indoor plumbing, compared to children who were not infected and with indoor plumbing in their homes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite activities aimed at the prevention and control of vitamin A deficiency, hypovitaminosis A, remains a public health concern among children under five.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Campina Grande, Campina GrandePBBrazil.
authors.forename: Daiane de
authors.initials: Dd
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: Adriana de Azevedo
authors.initials: Ade A
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.forename: Dixis Figueroa
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Pedraza
authors.forename: Maria Auxiliadora Lins da
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Gustavo Henrique
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.forename: João Gil de
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Alcides da Silva
authors.initials: Ada S
authors.lastname: Diniz
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein