Interpretation of Serum Retinol Data From Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, the general socioeconomic situation in Latin America and the Caribbean countries has improved, and many vitamin A programs have been implemented in an attempt to reduce vitamin A deficiency in the region. Objective: To examine vitamin A status in Latin America and the Caribbean based on serum retinol concentrations and to contrast available data published before and after 1998. Methods: A systematic review was performed. National surveys or representative studies that reported vitamin A status were selected. Results: Ten national surveys and six representative studies were identified. Data for children under 6 years of age indicate that Guatemala and Nicaragua have practically eradicated vitamin A deficiency (less than 2% prevalence of serum retinol < 20 mg/dL). In Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, and Panama, the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency ranged from 2.8% to 9.4%. In Peru, Honduras, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil, vitamin A deficiency is a moderate public health problem (prevalence from 14.0% to 17.4%), while in Colombia, Mexico, and Haiti it is a severe public health problem (prevalence from 24.3% to 32.0%). Disadvantaged groups (indigenous people and those of Afro-Colombian descent) have the highest rates of deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is under 20% in schoolchildren and adult women. When data published before and after 1998 for children under 6 years of age were compared, most Central American countries had a reduction in the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (p < .05), whereas in South American countries, the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency increased over time (p < .05). Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children under 6 years of age has decreased in many Central American countries, but vitamin A deficiency still remains a public health problem in numerous Latin America and Caribbean countries, especially among disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Because of issues with the accuracy of the serum retinol biomarker reflecting body stores, these results must be interpreted with caution.

Serum Retinol Levels in Pregnant Adolescents and Their Relationship with Habitual Food Intake, Infection and Obstetric, Nutritional and Socioeconomic Variables

“…Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is considered a public health problem and is among the main micronutrient deficiencies, present in more than 100 countries, including Brazil [5,6,7]. Globally, VAD affects about 19.1 million pregnant women, and its presence in pregnancy may contribute to infections [8], prematurity [9], anemia [10], and malformations [11], compromising the outcome of pregnancy.…”

Deficiencia de vitamina A y factores asociados en niños preescolares de la periferia de la ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires

“…En América Latina, la prevalencia de DVA en los niños menores de 5 años varía entre menos del 2 % en Guatemala y Nicaragua y el 32 % en Haití. 16 Nuestros resultados son comparables a los de otros realizados en Colombia y Brasil, [17][18] que encontraron que el 24,3 % y el 24,7 % de los niños de entre 1 y 5 años tenían DVA, y superiores a los reportados por otros autores de la región. [19][20][21] Estas diferencias en las prevalencias, probablemente, reflejan las características particulares de cada país o región.…”

Model of Long-Term Vitamin A Deficiency in the Mammary Gland of Virgin Rats

“…VAD is considered to affect growth only under conditions of severe deficit (<0.7 μmol/l) [9] [11] [12]. In rodents, the normal concentration of retinol is of the1 μM [13].…”

“…VAD is recognized as a nutritional problem in many countries. VAD is considered to affect growth only under severe deficit conditions of (0.7 μmol/l) [9] [10] [11] [12]. In fasting circulation, retinol (the predominant vitamin A species) bound to RBP (Retinol Binding Protein) is found at a normal concentration ranging from 2 to 4 μM in humans and about 1 μM in rodents [13].…”