Dietary vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentrations of preschool children from different socio-economical levels in Izmir, Turkey

Aim: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), especially in its subclinical form, is a world health problem in young children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD among preschool children in various socio‐economic groups in ?zmir, Turkey. Methods: One hundred and one children aged 24–59 months were selected for the study with cluster sampling method. A questionnaire was completed by the parents, and the dietary pattern was assessed by using a 3‐day dietary record method. Results: Mean serum retinol concentration of the children was 28.3 ± 10.2 μg/dL. Serum vitamin A concentration of two children (2%) was below 10 μg/dL (VAD), whereas 18 (18%) children had vitamin A concentrations between 10 and 20 μg/dL (subclinical deficiency). We did not find any relationship between mean serum retinol concentrations and the independent variables such as socio‐economical levels, age groups, birth weight and gestational age. However, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum retinol concentrations and weight‐for‐age and weight‐for‐height Z scores of the children (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Because one‐fifth of the children under 5 years have VAD in ?zmir, Turkey, nutrition education must be given to the families during well‐child care visits, and routine vitamin supplementation should be considered especially in children with malnutrition.