Co-Existing Micronutrient Deficiencies among Stunted Cambodian Infants and Toddlers

發育不良柬埔寨嬰幼兒之微量營養素缺乏共存情形

Victoria P Anderson ； Susan Jack ； Didier Monchy ； Neang Hem ； Phearom Hok ； Karl B Bailey ； Rosalind S Gibson

《Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition》 17卷1期 (2008/03) Pp. 72-79

https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2008.17.1.12

摘要

The prevalence of malnutrition in Cambodia is among the highest in Southeast Asia, and diarrhea and pneumonia are the leading causes of death among children. Whether these adverse health outcomes are associated with co-existing micronutrient deficiencies is uncertain. We have determined the prevalence of anaemia, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiency and their co-existence among stunted children (77 females; 110 males) aged 6-36 mos. Non-fasting morning venipuncture blood samples were taken and analyzed for haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (via IMx system), retinol (via HPLC), and Zn (via AAS), C-reactive protein (CRP) (via turbidimetry) and Hb type (AA, AE, or EE) (via Hb gel electrophoresis). Children with CRP ≥5.0 mg/L (n=34) were excluded. Zinc deficiency defined as serum Zn ＜9.9 μmol/L had the highest prevalence (73.2%), followed by anaemia (71%) (Hb＜110 g/L), and then vitamin A deficiency (28.4%) (serum retinol ＜0.70 μmol/L). Of the anaemic children, only 21% had iron deficiency anaemia, and 6% had depleted iron stores. Age, log serum ferritin, and Hb type were significant predictors of Hb in the AA and AE children. Serum retinol was unrelated to haemoglobin or serum zinc. The prevalence of two or more micronutrient deficiencies (low Hb, serum retinol, and/or serum zinc) was 44%. Nearly 10% had low values for all three indices, and 18% had just one low value. In conclusion, anaemia, and deficiencies of iron, zinc, and vitamin A are severe public health problems among these stunted Cambodian children. Intervention strategies addressing multiple micronutrient deficiencies are needed.

關鍵字

貧血 ； 柬埔寨 ； 兒童 ； 發育不良 ； 血色素病變 ； 鐵 ； 鋅 ； 維生素A

並列摘要

The prevalence of malnutrition in Cambodia is among the highest in Southeast Asia, and diarrhea and pneumonia are the leading causes of death among children. Whether these adverse health outcomes are associated with co-existing micronutrient deficiencies is uncertain. We have determined the prevalence of anaemia, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiency and their co-existence among stunted children (77 females; 110 males) aged 6-36 mos. Non-fasting morning venipuncture blood samples were taken and analyzed for haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (via IMx system), retinol (via HPLC), and Zn (via AAS), C-reactive protein (CRP) (via turbidimetry) and Hb type (AA, AE, or EE) (via Hb gel electrophoresis). Children with CRP ≥5.0 mg/L (n=34) were excluded. Zinc deficiency defined as serum Zn ＜9.9 μmol/L had the highest prevalence (73.2%), followed by anaemia (71%) (Hb＜110 g/L), and then vitamin A deficiency (28.4%) (serum retinol ＜0.70 μmol/L). Of the anaemic children, only 21% had iron deficiency anaemia, and 6% had depleted iron stores. Age, log serum ferritin, and Hb type were significant predictors of Hb in the AA and AE children. Serum retinol was unrelated to haemoglobin or serum zinc. The prevalence of two or more micronutrient deficiencies (low Hb, serum retinol, and/or serum zinc) was 44%. Nearly 10% had low values for all three indices, and 18% had just one low value. In conclusion, anaemia, and deficiencies of iron, zinc, and vitamin A are severe public health problems among these stunted Cambodian children. Intervention strategies addressing multiple micronutrient deficiencies are needed.

並列關鍵字

anaemia ； Cambodia ； children ； stunted ； haemoglobinopathies ； iron ； zinc ； vitamin A