Calayo-Garvilles Glaiza V, Santos Noelle Lyn C, Cadiao Shylene Belle A, Lim Aleli H, Briones Dave, Castilla Kyler Kenn M, Reario Maria Fatima Dolly R, Klemm Rolf D W, Palmer Amanda C
Helen Keller International, Manila, Philippines.
Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Taguig, Philippines.
Food Nutr Bull. 2025 Jun;46(2-3):107-113. doi: 10.1177/03795721251341976. Epub 2025 May 22.
BackgroundVitamin A (VA) deficiency affects approximately 15% of preschool-aged children in the Philippines (serum retinol <0.7 μmol/L). Data on school-aged children are lacking.ObjectiveTo characterize intake of VA-rich foods and VA status among school-aged children in 3 areas of the Philippines at high risk of undernutrition.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study, randomly selecting n = 520 children from primary schools in 3 high-risk provinces. We collected data on household characteristics, past-week food intake, and children's weights and heights. Venous blood samples were drawn and analyzed for plasma retinol, C-reactive protein, and α-acid glycoprotein.ResultsMost children (96.7%) had consumed preformed VA-rich foods at least once in the prior week, mainly eggs and fortified foods, with a median consumption frequency of 7 times [p25, p75: 4, 12]. While 93.7% had consumed proVA-rich foods-mainly dark green leafy vegetables-the frequency was lower (5 times [2, 9]). Approximately one-quarter took multinutrient supplements (median 600 μg retinol equivalents [400, 1185]). The mean (± SD) plasma retinol concentration was 0.95 ± 0.23 μmol/L. The prevalence of VA deficiency (retinol <0.70 μmol/L) was 13.6% (4.9% adjusted for inflammation), and 59.0% (52.0% adjusted for inflammation) had marginal status (0.70-1.05 μmol/L).ConclusionsThe VA status of school-aged children in high-risk areas was similar to that of preschool-aged children nationally. Despite adjusting for inflammation, most children were classified as having marginal VA status that could be improved by increasing intake of the available preformed and proVA-rich foods in the study area.
背景
维生素A（VA）缺乏影响了菲律宾约15%的学龄前儿童（血清视黄醇＜0.7 μmol/L）。目前缺乏关于学龄儿童的数据。
目的
描述菲律宾3个营养不良高风险地区学龄儿童富含VA食物的摄入量和VA状况。
方法
我们开展了一项横断面研究，从3个高风险省份的小学中随机选取n = 520名儿童。我们收集了家庭特征、过去一周的食物摄入量以及儿童体重和身高的数据。采集静脉血样并分析血浆视黄醇、C反应蛋白和α-酸性糖蛋白。
结果
大多数儿童（96.7%）在前一周至少食用过一次富含视黄醇的食物，主要是鸡蛋和强化食品，中位食用频率为7次[p25，p75：4，12]。虽然93.7%的儿童食用过富含视黄醛原的食物——主要是深绿色叶菜类蔬菜——但食用频率较低（5次[2，9]）。约四分之一的儿童服用多种营养素补充剂（中位值600 μg视黄醇当量[400，1185]）。血浆视黄醇浓度的均值（±标准差）为0.95±0.23 μmol/L。VA缺乏（视黄醇＜0.70 μmol/L）的患病率为13.6%（经炎症校正后为4.9%），59.0%（经炎症校正后为52.0%）处于边缘状态（0.70 - 1.05 μmol/L）。
结论
高风险地区学龄儿童的VA状况与全国学龄前儿童的状况相似。尽管对炎症进行了校正，但大多数儿童仍被归类为VA边缘状态，可通过增加研究地区现有的富含视黄醇和视黄醛原食物的摄入量来改善。
