Supaporn Pengnonyang. Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, iodine deficiencies, and their coexistence among rural Northeast school children, Thailand. Master's Degree(Nutrition). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2009-07-29.
Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, iodine deficiencies, and their coexistence among rural Northeast school children, Thailand
Abstract:
Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, zinc, and iodine are worldwide. In Thailand, the
severity of these deficiencies has decreased, but subclinical deficiencies remain a public health
problem. Information on micronutrient deficiencies and their coexistence are limited,
especially, in areas with a high prevalence of hemoglobinopathy. This study aimed to assess
micronutrient status, growth and body composition of rural northeast Thai school-age
children. Baseline data of the study on the impact of fortified micronutrients in instant noodles
seasoning mixes was gathered from school-aged children in northeast Thailand. 567 children
were selected from 10 of the largest primary schools in each of the ten subdistricts in Trakarn
Phutphon district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Family socio-economic status, child
antropometry, and biochemical micronutrient status were analyzed.
Results showed that subclinical micronutrient deficiencies were highly prevalent. Low
urine iodine concentration (<10.0μg/dL) was 83% and zinc deficiency (serum zinc below
IZNCG age, sex-specific cut-offs) was 57%. 31.5% of all children were anemic, but iron
deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 ng/ml) was only found in 3%. Infection (by CRP) was low.
Almost two-thirds of the children had at least two micronutrient deficiencies. Males had a
significantly higher prevalence of zinc deficiency but a higher median urine iodine
concentration than that of females (median UIs males was 6.22 μg/dL versus females was
4.66 μg/dL, p<0.05). Prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and marginal vitamin A
deficiency in younger children were significantly higher than in older children (p<0.01).
Prevalence of anemia in both EE type and AE types (86% and 37%, respectively) were higher
than that of normal type (21%). Significant differences of serum ferritin and serum transferrin
receptor were found between Hb EE and normal Hb. Using multiple regression, 21% of the
variance in hemoglobin was attributable to age, serum ferritin, retinol and both of Hb AE and
EE types. Prevalences of stunting (HAZ<-2SD) and underweight (WAZ <-2SD) were 12.9%,
and wasting (WHZ <-2SD) was 4.4%. Almost all growth and body composition variables
were significantly related to family income. Hemoglobin was related to height-for-age z-score
and fat free mass (B= -0.262 and 0.011, p=0.002 and 0.037, respectively). Dietary intakes
from the sub-sample showed that energy and protein intakes were relatively adequate (>80%),
but micronutrient intakes were much lower than the DRI (20-80%).
In conclusion, subclinical micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent and multiple
micronutrient deficiencies coexisted. Poor quality diet, possibly limited by low family income,
could be a major cause of micronutrient deficiencies and sub-optimal growth in these children.
Iron deficiency was not the main cause of anemia, but hemoglobinopathy and marginal
vitamin A deficiency were important determinants.