ABSTRACT
The vitamin A and E status was evaluated in 279 volunteer subjects, 3 to 75 years old (131 males and 148 females) from 8 villages in the north of Cameroon by fluorimetric methods. The results obtained showed that: the mean serum vitamin A level was 16.6 +/- 0.7 microgram % (ranging from 2.1 to 69.3 micrograms %) and vitamin E, 499.9 +/- 19.3 micrograms % (ranging from 222.7 to 1893.1 micrograms %); the percentage deficiency of vitamin A among the subjects was 71.7% and that of vitamin E was 66% (vitamin A levels < 20 micrograms/100 ml) vitamin E levels < 500 micrograms/100 ml; children of ages ranging from 3 to 15 years, constituted about 50% of the subjects and were significantly deficient in vitamin A (P < 0.001). Significant correlation was observed between the serum levels of vitamin A and E (P < 0.001). The results from this study revealed that vitamin A and E deficiencies vary from one village to another and constitute one of the major public health problems in the area.
PIP: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient to growth and development and, vitamin E, as an antioxidant, plays an important role in vitamin A metabolism. To facilitate the design of food diversification and nutrition education campaigns, the vitamin A and E status of 279 children and adults, 3-75 years of age from 8 villages in North Cameroon, was assessed through fluorimetry. Mean serum levels of vitamins A and E were within normal limits in only 3 of the 8 villages. Overall, the mean serum vitamin A level was 16.6 +or- 0.7 mcg, and 71.7% of subjects were vitamin A-deficient. The mean serum vitamin E level was 499.9 +or- 19.3 mcg, and 66% were vitamin E-deficient. Serum levels of vitamins A and E were significantly correlated (p 0.001). Children 3-15 years of age had significantly lower levels of vitamin A than did adults (p 0.001). The severe vitamin A and E deficiencies recorded in this study reflect the dependence on cereals as a staple food in North Cameroon and the limited availability of palm oil, a daily source of beta-carotene in other regions of the country.
