Deficiencia de vitamina A en niños preescolares: un problema reemergente en Costa Rica? / Vitamin A deficiency among preschool children: a re-emerging problem in Costa Rica?

Based on the 1996 National Nutrition Survey, this study shows the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among 567 Costa Rican urban and rural 12-83 months old-children. In overall, the prevalence of VAD (plasma retinol < or = 20 micrograms/dl) was 8.8 per cent. No difference was found even when data were analyzed by area and gender. Around 30 per cent of preschool children were at risk of VAD (plasma retinol between 20.1-30 micrograms/dl). The proportion of children at risk for retinol deficiency was significantly higher in rural area in comparison with urban area (38.9 per cent and 28.0 per cent respectively, p < 0.05). Lineal regression analysis showed that plasma retinol levels were negatively related to the number of family members and positively related to mother's schooling. Our results suggest a possible impairment in vitamin A status of preschool children.

Comparison of serum concentration and dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol in a sample of urban and rural Costa Rican adolescents

Results from several studies have suggested that vitamin E intake could inhibit the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate Costa Rican adolescents' serum alpha-tocopherol levels and their correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and the dietary intake of vitamin E and saturated and polyunsaturated fat. Ninety-five healthy, non-smoking adolescents and non-vitamin supplement users (aged 13-18) from urban and rural areas in San José, Costa Rica, were included in this study. Serum levels of lipid adjusted alpha-tocopherol were significantly higher in rural adolescents compared with urban youngsters (4.192 mumol/mmol +/- 0.831 and 3.486 mumol/mmol +/- 0.996, respectively). Likewise, reported mean daily 1000 kcal adjusted-vitamin E intake was higher in rural adolescents than in urban youngsters (9.2 +/- 3.7 mg. 16.0 +/- 8.7 mg). An important correlation was observed between intake of energy from saturated fat and adjusted-alpha-tocopherol serum levels (r = 0.430). Contrariwise, they correlated poorly with dietary alpha-tocopherol (r = 0.273), suggesting that serum is not a good biomarket of intake for alpha-tocopherol. Additionally, our results showed a negative relationship between BMI and adjusted-serum vitamin E levels (beta = 0.189; CI 95 per cent -0.153, -0.013). The analysis of vitamin E intake showed that over 25 per cent of adolescents have inadequate intake of the nutrient. This study suggests that nutritionists and pediatricians should encourage alpha-tocopherol intake and monitor the food sources of the nutrient and the adolescents' body weight as part of the strategies aimed at developing a healthy lifestyle.