[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%. No difference was found even when data were analyzed by area and gender. Around 30% 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% and 28.0% 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.