Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine Status of Under Five Children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Micronutrient deficiency has been considered as a major risk factor for child survival in Nigeria, it increases the risk of death from common diseases that affects children.          Objective: The study assessed the vitamin A, iron and iodine status of children in Kaduna state.Methods: The study was a cross sectional descriptive survey research. Children aged 6-59 months (84 subjects) were selected using a multi- stage sampling technique. Five milliliters of blood were collected for analysis of serum retinol and hemoglobin determination. Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) was based on the iodine concentration in urine samples. Vitamin A as serum retinol was determined using Highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Hemoglobin concentration was determined using Atomic absorption spectrometry while the UIE level was analyzed using wet digestion method.Results: Anaemia was more common with female (35.1%) in the study area compared to male (18.93%) with various haemoglobin level. Children aged 25 – 36 months were the most deficient in anaemia (16.66%). Urinary iodine deficiency (mild) affected more female (13.09%) than male (10.7%). Children aged 13 – 24 months (10.71%) were the most affected age group on mild iodine deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency affected more male (2.38%) than female (1.19%) and the deficiency of vitamin A was found in ages 25 – 36 months only (2.38%).Conclusion: Vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiencies were mostly observed in children between two to three years in the study area. Female children were affected most. Routine screening of children, timely supplementation and intervention will reduce deficiencies in the local government areas and communities affected in the state

Feeding practices and nutrient intake of under-five children in orphanages of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the feeding practices and nutrient intake of under-five orphans living in Abuja orphanages, so as to provide evidence based data for appropriate nutrition interventions for the orphans in Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on 200 under-five orphans, 96 males and 104 females aged 0-5 years living in ten orphanages in Abuja Nigeria. Feeding practices and nutrients intake of the children were assessed using questionnaires and weighed food intake techniques. The values obtained from nutrient intakes were compared with FAO/WHO recommended nutrient intake.Result: The study revealed that none of the eligible children were breastfed rather they were feed infant formula. The underfive children generally met the mean daily energy, protein, iron, vitamin A, thiamin and riboflavin intake. However, zinc, calcium, niacin and ascorbate were below the recommended allowance. The study showed that most of the under-five children were feed infrequently as against the recommended frequency of meal feeds per day. The food intake was not adequate to meet most of the children's nutritional needs across various age groups. Nutrient deficiencies recorded in the study were associated with poor feeding practices, low caregiver to child ratio (1:5) as well as low socio-economic status.Conclusion: The study shows that poor feeding of the under-five children led to protein energy malnutrition which is of public health importance in Nigeria especially for the orphans.Keywords: Feeding practices, Nutritional status, Nutrient intake, Orphan

Anthropometric deficits: Relationship with energy and nutrient intakes of primary school children in Nsukka Lga, Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Anthropometric deficits among schoolchildren are problems of public health concern. Establishment of associated factors is relevant to their prevention and control.Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of anthropometric deficits and inadequate energy/nutrient intakes among schoolchildren and determined the relationship between them. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 394 schoolchildren randomly selected from three primary schools in Nsukka LGA. Data collection methods were questionnaire, anthropometry and a 3-day weighed food intake study. Descriptive and inferential statistics of Statistical Product and Service Solution (version 21) were used in statistical analysis. Chi square and Pearson correlation were used to show relationships between nutrient intakes and anthropometric parameters. Precision level was 95%. Results: Girls constituted 54.6% and 58.4% were 10-14-year-olds. Breakfast was skipped by 70.3% of the children and 13.0% of this skipped breakfast daily. Underweight was found among girls (1.4%), boys (1.1%), and 6-9 year-olds (3.1%). Stunting affected 1.2% of the 6-9-year-olds and 0.9% girls only. Thinness was observed among boys (22.4%), girls (27.0%), 6-9-year-olds (37.8%) and 10-14-year-olds (15.7%). A total of 53.8%, 56.4% and 48.7% had inadequate intakes of protein, calcium and iron, respectively. Vitamin A correlated negatively with weight (r= -0.504, P=0.035), height (r= -0.540, P=0.037) and body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.501, P=0.001) of boys as well as weight (r = -0.911, P=0.000), height (r = -0.768, P=0.010) and BMI (r=-0.714, P=0.020) of girls. Vitamin B3 correlated with weight (r=0.671, P = 0.034), height (r=0.648, P=0.043), BMI (r=0.607, P = 0.045) of boys and weight (r=0.686, P = 0.029), height (r=0.845, P=0.002), BMI (r=0.527, P = 0.042) of girls. Associations of underweight, stunting and thinness with inadequate protein, carbohydrate, vitamins A, B2 and B3 intakes were significant (p <0.05). Conclusion: Anthropometric deficits among schoolchildren were associated with inadequate protein, carbohydrate, vitamins A, B2 and B3 intakes. Keywords: Nutrient intake, underweight, stunting, thinness, schoolchildre

Dietary pattern, haemoglobin and haematocrit status of pregnant women in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Pregnancy is a normal physiologic process that increases a woman's vulnerability to nutritional problems particularly anaemia. This study examined the dietary pattern, haemoglobin and haematocrit status of pregnant women in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Nigeria.Methods: Three communities (Okpoko, Atani and Ossamala) were selected out of 16 communities in the LGA using simple random sampling technique. Proportionate sampling was used to select 220 out of 733 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the health centres within the three communities. Data were obtained using a validated pretested questionnaire and through the biochemical analysis of blood. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in data analysis and results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Significance was accepted at P<0.05.Results: The results showed that 27.7% of the subjects were in their first trimester, 40.5% were in their second trimester and 31.8% were in their third trimester. About 71% never skipped any meal, however, 12.2%, 13.2% and 3.2% skipped breakfast, lunch and supper, respectively. Abou a third (34.1%) of the respondents consumed cereals, 40.5% consumed starchy roots/tubers, 40% consumed fruits/vegetables, 45.5% consumed fish/meat, and 45.5% consumed oil/oil seeds and nuts while only 27.3% consumed legumes. Those that consumed non food substances constituted 25% of which 94.6% took clay and 80% took sand. Majority (93%) of the women had normal packed cell volume of 33% and above; up to 79.7% had haemoglobin of 12 – 16g/dl. Only 20.5% had low haemoglobin of less than 12g/dl. All the subjects (100%) were on iron supplements. Only 72% took the supplements regularly (as prescribed).Conclusion: Nutrition education is imperative to ensure good food habits and better nutritional status among pregnant women.Keywords: Food habits, haemoglobin, haematocrit, pregnant wome