2575

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AND VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY STATUS OF PRESCHOOLERS IN SUBURB CHONGQING

Li TY, Lian XM, Qu P, Liu YX

Chongqing Children’s Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing, China

Objective: The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of ID A and VAD in preschoolers and its contributory factors.

Methods: It was a cross sectional study done on 348 children of age 13-81 months in suburb Chong qing, southwest China. Venous blood (2ml) of each child was obtained for the analysis of hemoglobin concentration and serum retinol. Cyanmethemoglobin method was used for the measurement of hemoglobin concentration and HPLC method was used to the measurement of serum retinol. A questionnaire including questions about social-economic status, parents’ education and occupations child birth weight, breast feeding, weaning food and patterns and dietary habits was used to investigate the contributory factors of IDA and VAD.

Results: Prevalence of IDA in the study group was 26.15%(91/348), and the prevalence of VAD in the study group was 38.79%(135/348). The parents’ education and occupations, child birth weight, breast feeding, weaning food and patterns did not show any significant relationship with the prevalence of VAD in these children, whereas, dietary habits had a positive impact on it. Who likes retinol-rich foods has a higher serum retinol concentration. However, none of the factors has any significant relationship with the rpevalence of IDA in these children.

Conclusion: IDA and VAD are still serious public health problems in suburb Chongqing. Having a good dietary habit has a definite role in prevention of VAD in preschoolers.