title: Micronutrient deficiencies in normal and overweight infants in a low socio-economic population in north-east Brazil.
abstract: Micronutrient deficiencies are the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide. Although commonly related to underweight, micronutrient deficiencies can occur in both normal and overweight children in medium- and low-income populations undergoing nutritional transition.
  
  
  
  To describe haemoglobin and micronutrient levels in infants from a low-income area in Brazil in relation to their weight-for-length Z-score.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 2-11-month-old infants in Laranjeiras, a small urban community in North-east-Brazil between April 2009 and February 2010. Anthropometry and assays for haemoglobin, ferritin, plasma zinc, copper and selenium and erythrocyte zinc and copper concentrations were investigated.
  
  
  
  The total number of full-term infants born in the study period was 222, of whom 153 were available for the study. Three (2%) children were wasted, 98 (66%) were of normal weight, 37 (25%) were at risk of overweight and 11 (7%) were overweight or obese. Nearly all (97%) children had at least one micronutrient deficiency, 102 (67%) had anaemia, 86 (58%) and 100 (67%) had plasma and erythrocyte zinc deficiency, respectively, and 7 (5%) and 113 (76%) had plasma and erythrocyte copper deficiency, respectively. 138 (91%) children had selenium deficiency. Except for plasma zinc, the proportion of infants with micronutrient deficiencies did not differ by weight-for-length status.
  
  
  
  The increased risk of overweight and micronutrient deficiencies in this population highlights the need to address the double burden of excess weight with micronutrient deficiencies in medium- and low-income settings.
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jardim-Botelho
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Queiroz Gurgel
authors.affiliation: b Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simeone Henriques
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Claudimary Bispo
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: c University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.
authors.forename: Alceu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afonso Jordão
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nascimento Faro
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Fernanda Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Silveira Souto
authors.affiliation: a Federal University of Sergipe , Aracaju.
authors.forename: Anna Pryscilla
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rodrigues Santos
authors.affiliation: d Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , UK.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eduardo Cuevas
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: Anaemia; Infant; Micronutrient deficiency; Overweight