Current nutritional status of mothers and children in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

Forty-six mothers and children from the United Arab Emirates participated in a pilot study to determine possible micronutrient deficiencies in the country. Thirty-five per cent [35%] of the children and 21% of the mothers had low serum ferritin levels, while 30% of the mothers had low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with 28% of mothers having a low serum folate status. These deficiencies are widespread in the nationals of the United Arab Emirates. In view of the increasing importance of intrauterine and early infant nutrition, further investigation and a national study seem warranted