Marcadores bioquímicos do estado nutricional de Ferro, Vitamina A e Zinco: interação e influência dos processos infecciosos subclínicos

Abstract

Children are vulnerable to occurrence of nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies that often coexist and are influenced by subclinical infectious processes. Objectives: To assess the nutritional status of iron, vitamin A and zinc in preschool children, considering the interaction and influence of subclinical infectious processes. Methods: It was observed the risk of simultaneous occurrence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in the presence of some of these deficiencies. It carried out a comparative analysis of the mean concentrations of micronutrient status indicators in the total population, the group without subclinical infection and the population with corrected concentrations. It was used the ROC curve analysis to identify the best cutoff point for the diagnosis of zinc deficiency in serum and hair. Results: The risk of coexistence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency was higher in the presence of some of these deficiencies than in its absence. Children with subclinical infection had mean serum retinol and zinc significantly lower than those without infection, it is not observed with the mean concentration of hemoglobin. The cutoff points for the diagnosis of zinc deficiency in serum and in hair was 75.5 mg/dL and 292.52 ppm, respectively. Conclusions: It is highlighting the importance of analyzing the micronutrient status in the population, considering the interaction and influence of subclinical infectious processes, towards a better understanding of the epidemiological picture of nutritional deficiencies.