Assessment of the vitamin A status of preschool and school age Senegalese children during a cross-sectional study.

The increasing concern about vitamin A deficiency in even its mild subclinical form has created the need for a mass screening test. Various clinical, biochemical and cytological methods for assessing the vitamin A status have been widely used but all are unsatisfactory for technical, ethical or public health reasons. The two prevalence criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a vitamin A deficiency problem of public health significance are xerophthalmia and serum retinol concentrations. Recently we proposed a prevalence criterion for impression cytology with transfer (ICT) at the level of 50% of ICT results being abnormal. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and also undernutrition during the dry season in a random sample of 1,259 children (n = 442 for the 2-6 years and n = 817 for the 7-14 years) from a rural area in Senegal. Prevalence was 0 times and 4.2 times the WHO criteria for xerophthalmia and deficient serum retinol levels, respectively in preschool children. Abnormal ICT results were more frequent in preschool than in school children (53.4% versus 21.0%). There was an association between abnormal ICT results and stunting. Vitamin A deficiency was a public health problem in preschool children as assessed by the biochemical criterion (20.9% of serum retinol values under 0.35 mumol/l) or the cytological cut-off (53.4% of abnormal ICT results) but was also found in school children (21.0% of abnormal ICT results).     

A prevalence study of vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in northeastern Thailand

An epidemiologic survey of the prevalence of xerophthalmia and vitamin A deficiency was conducted in May and June 1985 in a multistage random sample of 1,772 children 1-8 years of age from 16 rural villages and the capital city of the Sakon Nakhon province in northeastern Thailand. Data of clinical eye examinations were available for 92% (n = 903) of the eligible children aged 1-5 years (n = 982); history of night blindness was obtained from a reliable source from 93% (n = 1,644) of the whole sample; and biochemical data were available for 60% (1,060) of the children examined. The distribution of clinical signs of xerophthalmia and serum retinol levels differed between the rural and urban areas. In the urban area, no signs of xerophthalmia or deficient serum retinol levels were found in the preschool children examined. The prevalence of night blindness in the rural area was 1.3% in children aged 1-5 years (95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.7-1.9); Bitot's spots were seen in 0.4% (95% Cl 0.1-1.0); 12.7% (95% Cl 9.9-15.5) showed deficient serum retinol levels (less than 0.35 mumol/liter). Of the children aged 1-8 years, 9.6% (95% Cl 7.8-11.4) showed deficient serum retinol levels. In the rural area, the prevalence of night blindness, Bitot's spots, and deficient serum retinol levels indicates a problem of public health importance according to World Health Organization criteria.     

Prevalence of undernutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the Dogon Region,Mali

OBJECTIVES: A representative sample of 1510 preschool children living in the Bandiagra circle (Mopti Region, Mali) was examined between March and April 1997 to determine the level of vitamin A deficiency. METHODS: Using a randomized two level cluster sampling, 20 clusters of 75 children aged six months to six years were selected for evaluating xerophthalmia (XN night blindness and/or X1B Bitot spot). Concurrently stature and weight were determined. A semiquantitative seven-day dietary questionnaire was applied to the mothers of 484 infants to assess consumption of vitamin A rich foodstuffs. The prevalence of biochemical deficiency was attested using the Modified Relative Dose Response test (MRDR) on a sub-sample of 192. RESULTS: Of the studied children, 4.3% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-5.3) reported night blindness and 2% (95% CI: 1.3-2.7) had Bitot spots. Prevalence of xerophthalmia attested by at least one of these signs was 5.4% (95% CI: 4.2-6.5). The prevalence reached 10.5% at three years of age. The MRDR test proved abnormal in 77.1% of the subjects (95% CI: 70.3-82.7). Serum retinol was lower than 0.35 micro mol/L in 43.8% (95.6% CI: 36.9-51.3) and less than 0.70 micro mol/L in 92.7% of the children (95% CI: 87.8-95.8). Weekly consumption of vitamin A rich food was rare: 75.8% had not eaten any animal vitamin A rich food, and 22.1% had consumed less than seven times a vitamin A rich food of either vegetable or animal origin. CONCLUSIONS: These data define vitamin A deficiency as a severe public health problem in the Bandiagara area of Mali.     

Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children in Southeastern Asia

OBJECTIVE: To determine provisional estimates of the extent of vitamin A (VA) deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children. DESIGN: Literature search of published, unpublished and website-based population survey and study reports, with country-specific imputation of prevalence rates and numbers of children affected by: (1) VA deficiency based on measured or imputed distributions of serum retinol concentration < 0.70 micromol/l (equivalent to < 20 microg/dl) and (2) xerophthalmia, by country. SETTING: Countries within the WHO South-East Asian Region. SUBJECTS: The target group for estimation was children 5-15 y of age. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of VA deficiency is 23.4%, suggesting that there are approximately 83 million VA-deficient school-aged children in the region, of whom 10.9% (9 million, at an overall prevalence of 2.6%) have mild xerophthalmia (night blindness or Bitot's spot). Potentially blinding corneal xerophthalmia appears to be negligible at this age. CONCLUSIONS: VA deficiency, including mild xerophthalmia, appears to affect large numbers of school-aged children in South-East Asia. However, nationally representative data on the prevalence, risk factors and health consequences of VA deficiency among school-aged children are lacking within the region and globally, representing a future public health research priority.     

Xerophthalmia in Ethiopia: a nationwide ophthalmological, biochemical and anthropometric survey.

A total of 6636 children, aged from 6 months to 6 years and selected throughout the country using a multi-staged stratified sample design, were examined for signs of xerophthalmia. The concentrations of retinol and of beta-carotene were measured in 742 children, including those with xerophthalmia and every twentieth of the remaining children. Anthropometric measurements were made on 2909 of the children. Bitot's spots were seen in 1.0% of all children, with a higher prevalence in the pastoral (1.6%) and cropping (1.1%) agro-ecological zones than in the zones characterized by cash crops (0.4%) and 'ensete' (false banana, Ensete ventricosum) (0.0%). One case of corneal xerosis and 2 cases of corneal scar were also seen. Serum retinol levels were in the 'deficient' range (less than 0.35 mumol l-1) in 16% and 'low' (0.35-0.69 mumol l-1) in 44% of children. Serum retinol and clinical signs did not show any correlation with occupation and education of head of household, household size or anthropometric measurements. More stunting than wasting was observed, with peak prevalence of these signs of malnutrition being observed in the second year of life.     

Prevalence of Undernutrition and Vitamin A Deficiency in the Dogon Region,Mali

Objectives: A representative sample of 1510 preschool children living in the Bandiagra circle (Mopti Region, Mali) was examined between March and April 1997 to determine the level of vitamin A deficiency.

Methods: Using a randomized two level cluster sampling, 20 clusters of 75 children aged six months to six years were selected for evaluating xerophthalmia (XN night blindness and/or X1B Bitot spot). Concurrently stature and weight were determined. A semiquantitative seven-day dietary questionnaire was applied to the mothers of 484 infants to assess consumption of vitamin A rich foodstuffs. The prevalence of biochemical deficiency was attested using the Modified Relative Dose Response test (MRDR) on a sub-sample of 192.

Results: Of the studied children, 4.3% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 3.2–5.3) reported night blindness and 2% (95% CI: 1.3–2.7) had Bitot spots. Prevalence of xerophthalmia attested by at least one of these signs was 5.4% (95% CI: 4.2–6.5). The prevalence reached 10.5% at three years of age. The MRDR test proved abnormal in 77.1% of the subjects (95% CI: 70.3–82.7). Serum retinol was lower than 0.35 μmol/L in 43.8% (95.6% CI: 36.9–51.3) and less than 0.70 μmol/L in 92.7% of the children (95% CI: 87.8–95.8). Weekly consumption of vitamin A rich food was rare: 75.8% had not eaten any animal vitamin A rich food, and 22.1% had consumed less than seven times a vitamin A rich food of either vegetable or animal origin.

Conclusions: These data define vitamin A deficiency as a severe public health problem in the Bandiagara area of Mali.     

Assessment of vitamin A deficiency in a rural area in Mali. Estimation of sample size for the impression cytology test.

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among two to ten years old children in a rural area of Mali was assessed by ophthalmic examination, determination of plasma retinol levels and impression cytology with transfer tests. A Public Health problem of vitamin A deficiency was identified in this rural area by: the prevalence of nightblindness significantly (p < 0.001) above the cut-off (1%) defined by the World Health Organization (WHO); the prevalence of corneal scarring significantly (p < 0.001) above the WHO's cut-off (0.05%); the percentage of subjects with plasma retinol levels below 0.35 mumol/l (10 micrograms/dl) significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the WHO's threshold (5%); and 52.8 +/- 8.2% children with "Abnormal" impression cytology as determined by the impression cytology test (IC). This preliminary survey confirmed widespread vitamin A deficiency in Mali. The minimum sample size required for a study using the impression cytology test to determinate a Public Health problem in a population was calculated for different situations. Ophthalmic examination indicated a very high rate of active trachoma (29.6 +/- 7.0%), and a relationship between active trachoma and impression cytology results was identified.     

Sub clinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia among Vietnamese children less than five years of age

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of sub clinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia in Vietnamese children. For this, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 40 villages (clusters) of four ecological regions in Vietnam during Apr-May 2001. In total 1657 children less than 5 years old were included by a cluster random sampling method. The prevalence of sub clinical vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <0.70 mumol/l) was 12.0% and the prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <110g/l) was 28.4 %. 35.1%. In the children under 6 months the prevalence of sub clinical vitamin A deficiency was 35.1 % whereas the prevalence of anemia in this group was as high as 61.7%. The prevalence of children with both sub clinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia was 6.1%. Sub clinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia prevalence differed significantly across the regions, with highest prevalence in the Northern Mountainous areas for vitamin A deficiency and in the Northern Mountainous area and Mekong River Delta for anemia. It is concluded that sub clinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia are still important public health problems in Vietnam. Sustainable strategies for combating vitamin A deficiency and nutritional anemia are needed and should concentrate on target groups, especially infants and malnourished children in high risk regions.     

重庆市中小学生维生素A营养状况及影响因素分析

目的 了解重庆市6～17岁中小学生维生素A营养状况,并分析维生素A缺乏的影响因素,为后续研究和制定营养改善措施提供科学依据.方法 于2016-2017年,通过多阶段分层与人口成比例整群随机抽样方法在重庆市选择3个农村点和3个城市点,抽取1 508名6～17岁儿童青少年,开展问卷调查和实验室检测,采用SPSS 25.0进...     

Assessment of vitamin A status of preschool children in a sub-Saharan African setting: comparative advantage of modified relative-dose response test

A nationally-representative sample of 2,696 preschool children living in Congo was examined during Au gust-September 2003 to determine the rates of vitamin A deficiency. Ninety clusters of 30 children, aged six months to six years, were selected, using a randomized two-level cluster-sampling method. Vitamin A deficiency was determined by assessing the prevalence of active xerophthalmia (nightblindness and/or Bitot spots) in the cross-over sample of 2,696 individuals. A semi-quantitative seven-day dietary questionnaire was concurrently applied to the mothers of children enrolled to estimate the latter's consumption of vitamin A-rich food. Vitamin A status was assessed by performing the modified relative dose-response test (MRDR) on dried blood spots (DBS) from a subsample of 207 children aged less than six years and the impression cytology with transfer (ICT) test on a subsample of 1,162 children. Of the children enrolled, 5.2% suffered from nightblindness, 8.0% had Bitot spots, and 2.5% had other vitamin A deficiency sequellae. Fifty-three percent of the ICT tests showed the presence of vitamin A deficiency. The biochemical MRDR test showed that the vitamin A status of 30% of the study children was critical. Twenty-seven of them had retinol levels of < 10 microg/dL [mean +/- standard deviation (SD) 7.02 +/- 2.0 microg/dL], and 50% had retinol levels of 10-20 microg/dL (mean +/- SD 14.2 +/- 2.83 microg/dL). The poor health status and low rates of consumption of vitamin A-rich food are the main factors determining critical status. Vitamin A deficiency, reflecting poor nutrition and health, is a serious public-health issue among children aged less than six years in Congo.     

Prevalence of hypovitaminosis A among preschool children from northeastern Brazil, 1998

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in a population-based sample. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the State of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil, in May and June, 1998. It involved 607 children aged 6 to 60 months. The information was obtained by means of interviews with the persons responsible for these children, in their homes. Blood samples were collected via venous puncture and serum retinol assays were carried out by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In simultaneous analyses of the study variables, p<0.05 was accepted for testing statistically significant associations. RESULTS: A mean serum retinol value of 0.87 micromol/l (+/- 0.38) was found among the children investigated. The prevalence of levels considered low (0.35 to 0.69 micromol/l) was 22.5% and the prevalence of levels considered deficient (<0.35 micromol/l) was 9.6%. Inadequate serum retinol levels were therefore seen in 32.1% of the children. The serum retinol level showed an association with per capita family income and the weight/age indicator. No statistically significant association was found for serum retinol level in relation to the child's age and sex, or the mother's variables. CONCLUSION: Vitamin A deficiency among preschool children is an important public health problem. Hypovitaminosis A is mainly related to low per capita family income and low infant weight.     

Relationship of vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency, and inflammation to anemia among preschool children in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

INTRODUCTION: Although vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency, and inflammation may contribute to anemia, their relative contribution to anemia has not been well characterized in preschool children in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the contributions of vitamin A and iron deficiencies and inflammation to anemia among preschool children in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A community-based survey, the Republic of the Marshall Islands Vitamin A Deficiency Study, was conducted among 919 preschool children. The relationship of vitamin A and iron status and markers of inflammation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, and interleukin-10, to anemia were studied in a subsample of 367 children. RESULTS: Among the 367 children, the prevalence of anemia was 42.5%. The prevalence of severe vitamin A deficiency (serum vitamin A < 0.35 micromol/l) and iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 microg/dl) were 10.9 and 51.7%, respectively. The respective prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/l and iron deficiency), anemia with inflammation (anemia with TNF-alpha > 2 pg/ml and/or AGP > 1000 mg/l), and severe vitamin A deficiency combined with anemia was 26.7, 35.6, and 7.6%. In multivariate linear regression models that adjusted for age, sex, and inflammation, both iron deficiency (odds ratio (OR) 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.83, P = 0.023) and severe vitamin A deficiency (OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.14-10.9, P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Both iron and vitamin A deficiencies were independent risk factors for anemia, but inflammation was not a significant risk factor for anemia among these preschool children.     

Iron deficiency and anemia: disparity exists between children in American Samoa and children living within the US

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Healthy People 2010 emphasizes elimination of health disparity and improvements in anemia and iron deficiency (ID). The study purpose was to (1) determine the prevalence of anemia, ID and ID anemia (IDA) in children living in American Samoa and (2) compare the prevalence to that found in children living in the United States. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 211 children from American Samoa, aged 1-5 years of age, participated in this cross-sectional study. Prevalence of anemia, ID and IDA were determined and comparison made using data obtained from children living in the United States. Anemia was diagnosed as hemoglobin (Hb) <110.0 g/l, ID as erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) >70 mumol/mol heme and IDA as Hb <110.0 g/l and EP >70 mumol/mol heme. RESULTS: Anemia, ID and IDA prevalence was 33, 70 and 33%, respectively. The results of children from the United States were as follows: anemia, 9%; ID, 10% and IDA, 2%. Within American Samoan children, ID is positively associated with being breastfed <6 months (P<0.05) and anemia and IDA with lower household income (P<0.05; P<0.01). Mean Hb was significantly lower (P<0.001) and mean EP was significantly higher (P<0.001) than those within children living in the United States. CONCLUSION: To meet Healthy People 2010 goals in children aged 1-2 years, the prevalence of ID in children living in American Samoa would need to decrease from 83 to 5% and in children aged 3-5 years from 59 to 1%. It is critical to ensure that populations within the United States and its territories are provided appropriate resources to promote health and prevent disease.     

Vitamin A deficiency and corneal ulceration in south-east Nepal: implications for preventing blindness in children

A retrospective review of the outpatient records of 4601 children aged 0-10 years who had been seen between January 1986 and December 1988 at Lahan Eye Hospital, south-east Nepal, revealed that 15.4% had evidence of active or past xerophthalmia. Of 293 children with corneal xerosis or corneal ulcer, 49% had been examined in the 4-month period May-August. The peak age for active noncorneal xerophthalmia was 5 years and for active corneal xerophthalmia, 3 years. Previous population-based studies in Nepal have documented the presence of noncorneal xerophthalmia (Bitot's spots) in children. The present study confirms that vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of blindness and loss of vision among children in the eastern plains of Nepal.     

Vitamin A deficiency in children with acute diarrhoea: a community-based study in Bangladesh

The prevalences of nightblindness and xerophthalmia were assessed in 400 children, aged 6-59 months, with acute diarrhoea in a rural community in Bangladesh. The prevalences of nightblindness, conjunctival xerosis, and Bitot's spot were 7.8%, 9.5%, and 2.7% respectively. Fifty-two percent of the children who complained of nightblindness had ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency compared to 9% of those without nightblindness (p < 0.000). The nightblindness was significantly higher among the male children, aged 24-59 months, who were dysenteric and undernourished, did not consume vitamin A-containing foods daily, and were not breastfed. The coverage of periodic administration of vitamin A capsule was inversely related to the prevalence of nightblindness. This finding was determined by logistic regression analysis of data indicating that a combination of male sex, history of dysentery, absence of periodic administration of vitamin A treatment, and daily intake of vitamin A-containing foods gave the best-fitted model with an overall prediction of 92.5% of being nightblind. The findings of the study suggest that mothers should be educated to observe their diarrhoeal children about development of nightblindness and to seek treatment for it. The locally-relevant nutrition education should also be offered to them.     

Vitamin A intake and xerophthalmia among Indian children

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of xerophthalmia and to assess dietary intake of vitamin A in Indian children aged under 6 y. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. STUDY SETTING: Urban slums under Urban Health Centre affiliated to Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, India. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1094 all children under 6 y of age, from two randomly selected urban slums. METHODS: Xerophthalmia was diagnosed on the basis of ocular signs and symptoms (WHO recommendations). Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed by using one year recall method recommended by International Vitamin A Consultative Group. RESULTS: Prevalence of xerophthalmia was estimated to be 8.7%. Nine hundred and ninety-five (90.9%) study subjects were identified as inhabitants consuming dietary vitamin A at below recommended levels. (UPF score < 210). Five hundred and ninety-three (54.2%) study subjects were consuming dietary vitamin A at approximately less than 200 RE/d (UPF score < 120) while 402 (36.2%) were consuming approximately 200-300 RE/d (UPF score 120-210). The prevalence of xerophthalmia was found to be decreasing as the score of usual pattern of food consumption (UPF) increased. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a dietary intake represented by a UPF score of less than 120 were at high risk of developing xerophthalmia, whereas, those consuming vitamin A equal to a UPF score greater than 120 were at comparatively less risk despite being below the recommended levels.     

Vitamin A deficiency and attributable mortality among under-5-year-olds.

Reported are estimates of the prevalence in developing countries of physiologically significant vitamin A deficiency and the number of attributable deaths. The WHO classification of countries by the severity and extent of xerophthalmia was used to categorize developing countries by likely risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Using vital statistics compiled by UNICEF, we derived population figures and mortality rates for under-5-year-olds. The findings of vitamin A supplementation trials were applied to populations at-risk of endemic vitamin A deficiency to estimate the potential impact of improved vitamin A nutriture in reducing mortality during preschool years. Worldwide, over 124 million children are estimated to be vitamin A deficient. Improved vitamin A nutriture would be expected to prevent approximately 1-2 million deaths annually among children aged 1-4 years. An additional 0.25-0.5 million deaths may be averted if improved vitamin A nutriture can be achieved during the latter half of infancy. Improved vitamin A nutriture alone could prevent 1.3-2.5 million of the nearly 8 million late infancy and preschool-age child deaths that occur each year in the highest-risk developing countries.     

西藏自治区六岁以下儿童维生素A缺乏情况调查

目的 了解西藏自治区6岁以下儿童维生素A缺乏(VAD)情况。方法 采用分层整群随机抽样方法,将西藏分为城市、牧业县、农业县、半农半牧县4层,每层抽2个市或县进行调查。调查内容包括家庭一般状况、儿童喂养和疾病情况,收集儿童血清。血清维生素A(VA)含量检测采用微量荧光法。结果 共调查6岁以下儿童1257人,男635人,女622人,藏族占98．8％。2岁以上儿童836人,发现儿童夜盲症6例,结膜干燥症2例,儿童临床VAD患病率为0．96％。在1071名接受调查的母亲中,夜盲症18例(1．7％)。4类地区均发现有临床VAD病例。西藏儿童VA平均水平为1．09μmol／L,城市儿童(1．15μmol／L)和牧业县儿童(1．12μmol／L)显著高于农业县儿童(1．04μmol／L)和半农半牧县儿童(1．05μmol／L)。儿童亚临床VAD(血清VA≤0．70μmol／L)患病率：城市、牧业县、农业县和半农半牧县儿童分别为5．4％、4．7％、11．0％和12．3％,差异有显著性;0．5岁以下和0．5岁以上婴儿组亚临床VAD患病率分别为22．2％和13．3％,显著高于1岁以上各年龄组儿童(1岁为8．5％,2～3岁为5．4％,4～5岁为7．9％);男女儿童血清VA水平和亚临床VAD患病率的差异无显著性。结论 西藏儿童VAD情况较全国为轻,但农业县和半农半牧县属于中度亚临床VAD地区,需要对这些地区的儿童,特别是1岁以下的婴儿补充VA。     

Vitamin A deficiency in healthy children aged 6-59 months in Izmir Province of Turkey

Vitamin A deficiency even at subclinical levels is associated with increased childhood mortality. There have been few studies related to vitamin A status of children in Turkey. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin A status of children aged 6-59 months in Izmir, Turkey, and to evaluate the relationship of these levels with nutritional status. One hundred and sixty children were selected for the study using the cluster sampling method. Serum retinol levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ranged from 9.8 to 59.2 micrograms/dL (mean 29.3 +/- 9.5 micrograms/dL). Levels were below the lower limit of the normal range in 15.6% of the children. Deficient and marginal serum retinol among stunted children were observed in 16% and 42% respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between low serum retinol and stunting (P < 0.05). Although xerophthalmia and other clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency are rarely seen, subclinical vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Izmir, Turkey.     

儿童血清维生素A在不同年龄阶段横断面研究

目的 了解儿童血清维生素A(VA)的营养现状,为儿童科学补充VA提供更多依据。方法 采用横断面研究,选择于2017年9月—2018 年8月在哈尔滨市儿童医院儿童保健门诊进行常规体检的3 163名0~16岁健康儿童为研究对象。收集儿童的年龄及性别等基本信息,采用高效液相色谱法检测儿童的血清VA水平。结果 3 163名0~16岁儿童血清VA平均水平为(0.30±0.08)mg/L;0~、0.5~、1~、3~、6~、12~16岁的儿童血清VA水平分别为(0.20±0.04)、(0.23±0.04)、(0.33±0.06)、(0.30±0.05)、(0.35±0.06)mg/L以及(0.44±0.08)mg/L;6月龄以上儿童整体血清VA异常率为52.2%(1 572/3 012),其中VA缺乏率和不足率分别为5.7%(172/3 012)和46.5%(1 400/3 012);0.5~组血清VA异常率最高,高达98.8 %,不同年龄组儿童血清VA异常率差异均有统计学意义(χ²=998.70,P＜0.001)。结论 儿童的VA营养不良仍然是一项严峻的公共卫生问题,应更多的关注VA不足/缺乏率较高的儿童群体。