[Nutritional status of pre-school children of the semi-arid region of Bahia (Brazil): II--Vitamin A deficiency].

A survey of 754 preschool children was undertaken in the urban areas of seven small towns of the semi-arid region of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, as well as its association with variables such as a age, family income, mother's schooling and dietary adequacy in vitamin A. Protein energy malnutrition and anemia were also studied and are reported separately. The clinical ophthalmological examination did not reveal any signs or symptoms of xerophthalmia amongst these children. In 563 children serum retinol was determined and the average value found was 20.3 micrograms/dl (SD = 10.8 micrograms/dl); the prevalence of deficient serum retinol (below 10.0 micrograms/dl) was of 15.3%. In all 7 localities studied, the prevalence of deficient retinol levels was above 5.0%, the criterion recommended by WHO for considering it a Public Health Problem. The distribution of serum retinol was similar between the sexes, but there was an age trend: the prevalence of deficient and low levels decreased with age. There was no association between deficient serum retinol and family income per capita or mother's education. Results from the 24 h food consumption survey revealed that only 8% of children had an adequate intake of vitamin A through the diet; 66% received less than 1/2 and 35% less than 1/4 of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency should be considered a Public Health Problem in the region due to the high prevalence of deficient levels of serum retinol as well as the large dietary inadequacy.