Deficiência de vitamina A em crianças do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil: perfil epidemiológico e associação com índices antropométricos

Abstract

Objective. To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and the associated factors in children aged 6 to 59 months old in the urban areas of the state of Paraíba. Methods. Population-based cross-sectional study, with an estimated sample of 1234 children aged 6 to 59 months old, in the urban areas of 9 cities of the state of Paraíba. The nutritional status of vitamin A was evaluated by retinol concentration (high performance liquid chromatography - HPLC). The presence of subclínical infection was assessed by C-reactive protein (Latex Agglutination). There was considered with vitamin A deficiency children who had concentrations of seric retinol < 0.7 µmol/L. The socioeconomic, demographic and anthropometric conditions of the children were also evaluated. Results. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 21.8% (CI95% 19.6% - 24.2%), showed association with the presence of subclinical infection and the unavailability of water at home, when adjusted for child age, child sex, supplementation in the last 6 months, maternal age, maternal education, education of the household head, per capita income, household type, number of people per household, number of rooms in the home, garbage disposal and sewage type. In realtion to nutritional status of children, 7.22% had stunting and 1.08% were underweight. There was observed a statistical association betwenn stuting and vitamin A deficiency (p<0.01). Conclusion. Despite vitamin A deficiency prevention and control actions conducted in the state of Paraíba, of vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem.