Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin a Deficiency in Children and Women of Child Bearing Age

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitamin A also plays a role in the morphology and physiology of the eyeball. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence and risk factors of vitamin A deficiency among children and women. Methods: The present study was conducted on 96 children of age ranged 5-12 years and their mothers of both genders. Parents of toddlers were asked for symptoms, suggesting that the child may have poor vision in dim light. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Serum retinol levels were measured for all participants high-performance liquid. Results: Out of 96 patients, boys were 54 and girls were 42. Out of 54 boys, 7 boys and out of 42 girls, 4 girls had vitamin A deficiency. 56 mothers had low SES, 28 had medium and 12 had high. Mother education was upto college level in 28 and upto high school in 78. Number of children in family was >2 seen in 52 and 2 in 44 parents. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was found to be 11.45%. Risk factors were low socio- economic status, >2 children in family and low education level of mothers.