Analysis on the status of vitamin a deficiency among children under 5 years old in urban areas of wuhan in China

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in development countries affecting 190 million children under 5 years old. Improving vitamin A status can dramatically reduce the risk of a range of problems, including respiratory diseases, diarrhoea and vision problems, and can lead to death. Methods: A community based stratified cluster sampling and non-interventional study was carried out in urban areas of Wuhan. Blood vitamin A levels was estimated on 1270 children under 5 years using improved microfluorescence method, and a self-administered questionnaires including dietary status, health status and family information was conducted among the parents. Results: The prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (SVAD) was 3.39%, and the suspicious SVAD was 7.32%. The mean level of serum vitamin A was 1.87±0.77umol/L, and the peak of SVAD prevalence fell in the 0-1 year age group. Multivariate analysis revealed low protein (egg, milk, etc.) intake in last week, Vitamin A preparations in last month, suffering from respiratory diseases as well as diarrhoea in the past two weeks to be influencing factors (P<0.05). The socio-demographic variables including mother's education level and household income per capita are influencing factors (P<0.05). Conclusion: SVAD and suspicious VAD are the major manifestations of VAD of child under five years old in urban area of Wuhan in China. The screening for VAD, provision of complementary nutrients and education on reasonable ways of feeding to children with SVAD and suspicious SVAD should be the key points in the prevention and control programs on this problem.