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Multiple micronutrient deficiencies persist during early childhood in Mongolia
Author(s) -
Lander Rebecca,
Enkhjargal Tserennadmid,
Bailey Karl,
Gibson Rosalind
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.893.3
Subject(s) - micronutrient , anemia , medicine , vitamin a deficiency , micronutrient deficiency , anthropometry , hemoglobin , iron deficiency anemia , iron deficiency , ferritin , pediatrics , malnutrition , vitamin , environmental health , retinol , pathology
The effectiveness of interventions in Mongolia to combat micronutrient deficiencies in children is uncertain. We determined the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and deficiencies of Fe, Zn, Se, and vitamin A among young Mongolian children. Anthropometry and non‐fasting morning blood samples were collected from 243 children (126 M, 117 F) aged 6–36 months from Ulaanbaatar and 4 rural capitals for hemoglobin (Hb), serum (s) ferritin, Zn, Se, and retinol assays. Children with α‐1‐glycoprotein>1.2 mg/L (n = 27) indicative of infection were excluded. Of the children 14.5% were stunted and none were wasted. Zn deficiency (sZn<9.9μmol/L) had the highest prevalence (74%). The prevalence of anemia (24%) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (16%) were lower, with the oldest children (24–36 mos) at lowest risk. 21% of the children had Fe deficiency, and 33% had vitamin A (sretinol <0.70 μmol/L) deficiency. Serum Se values were low, as noted for South Island NZ children, where soil Se is low. Regional differences (p<0.05) existed for anemia, deficiencies of Se and vitamin A, but not Zn or IDA. Age, location, log serum ferritin, infection, and serum zinc were major predictors of hemoglobin. Of the children, 64% were at risk of two or more coexisting micronutrient deficiencies emphasizing the need for multimicronutrient interventions in Mongolia. Funded by WHO, UNICEF, World Vision Mongolia, University of Otago.