Serum levels of vitamin A and E in children in the Gezira State-Central Sudan

ABSTRACT

In a nutritional survey carried out on children in Gezira, Central Sudan, blood samples were taken from 80, randomly selected school children [43 males and 37 females] aged between 8 and 15 years. Twenty five males and 27 females were from central Sudan region and 18 males and 10 females were from Western Sudan origin. Specimens were separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm and sera were sent frozen at minus 20 Celsius to Leeds General Infirmary. United Kingdom. All sera were tested for HIV and proved to be negative. Applying chromatographic methods, the levels of vitamin A and E were detected. With vitamin A normal range between 20-50 microgram/100 ml, deficiency of vitamin a was found in 40.0% of children of central Sudan region. Deficiency among children from Western Sudan origin was 46.0% with mean + S.D.5+ 14 and 4+ 13 microgram/ 100 mL respectively. Vitamin E was measured in 86 children [48 males and 38 females]. Normal range is 3.3-5.0 mg/ 100 mL. Deficiency of vitamin E was found in 9.3% of all children. It is more among children of central Sudan ethnicity