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- Title
Multiple micronutrient deficiencies persist during early childhood in Mongolia.
- Authors
Lander, Rebecca L.; Enkhjargal, Tserennadmid; Batjargal, Jamiyan; Bailey, Karl B.; Diouf, Sarah; Green, Timothy J.; Skeaff, C. Murray; Gibson, Rosalind S.
- Abstract
Data on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in children in Mongolia is limited. We therefore determined the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), and deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and vitamin D among young Mongolian children. Anthropometry and non-fasting morning blood samples were collected from 243 children aged 6--36 months from 4 districts in Ulaanbaatar and 4 rural capitols for haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, folate, retinol, zinc, selenium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) assays. Children with α-1-glycoprotein ≥1.2mg/L (n=27) indicative of chronic infection were excluded, except for folate, selenium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D assays. Of the children 14.5% were stunted and none were wasted. Zn deficiency (serum Zn<9.9 µmol/L) had the highest prevalence (74%), followed by vitamin D deficiency 61% (serum 25-OHD<25 nmol/L). The prevalence of anaemia (24%) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) (16%) was lower, with the oldest children (24-36 mos) at lowest risk. Twenty one percent of the children had low iron stores, and 33% had vitamin A deficiencies (serum retinol < 0.70 µmol/L), even though two thirds had received vitamin A supplements. Serum selenium values were low, perhaps associated with low soil selenium concentrations. In contrast, no children in Ulaanbaatar and only 4% in the provincial capitols had low serum folate values (<6.8 nmol/L). Regional differences (p<0.05) existed for anaemia, deficiencies of vitamin A, folate, and selenium, but not for zinc or IDA. Of the children, 78% were at risk of ≥ two coexisting micronutrient deficiencies emphasizing the need for multimicronutrient interventions in Mongolia.
- Subjects
MONGOLIA; MICRONUTRIENTS; MALNUTRITION in children; TRACE element deficiency diseases in children; CHILD nutrition; NUTRITION disorders in children; JUVENILE diseases
- Publication
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008, Vol 17, Issue 3, p429
- ISSN
0964-7058
- Publication type
Article