SUMMARY
Vitamin A Deficiency among Preschool Children: ¿A re-emerging Problem in Costa Rica?
Based on the 1996 National Nutrition Survey, this study shows the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among 567 Costa Rican urban and rural 12-83 months old-children. In overall, the prevalence of VAD (plasma retinol £ 20 µg/dl) was 8.8%. No difference was found even when data were analyzed by area and gender. Around 30% of preschool children were at risk of VAD (plasma retinol between 20.1- 30 µg/dl). The proportion of children at risk for retinol deficiency was significantly higher in rural area in comparison with urban area (38.9% and 28.0% respectively, p< 0.05). Lineal regression analysis showed that plasma retinol levels were negatively related to the number of family members and positively related to mother’s schooling. Our results suggest a possible impairment in vitamin A status of preschool children.

Key Words: Plasma retinol, preschool children, vitamin A, Costa Rica.



Recibido: 22/12/2000
Aceptado: 28/05/2003

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PRIVACIDAD | ACCESIBILIDAD ALAN-VE ISSN 0004-0622 - Depósito Legal: pp 199602DF83 Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición Producción editorial en Venezuela: Capítulo Venezolano - RIF: J-30843129-0 Urbanización Santa María, primera transversal, No. 417-214, Planta Alta Tele-Fax: (+58-212) 283.8618 E-mail info@alanrevista.org Código Postal: 1070 Caracas - Venezuela