The phenomenon of micronutrient deficiency among children in China: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to review the literature on micronutrient deficiency and other factors influencing a deficiency status among children living in China. Design: A systematic review was performed to analyse the literature. Setting: Studies were identified through a search of PubMed and secondary references. Subjects: Children living in China aged less than 18 years. Results: Sixty-one articles were included. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency decreased to approximately 10 % in 1995-2009. It increased with age but no significant difference was found between genders. The prevalence of thiamin and vitamin B 12 deficiency was 10?5 % in Yunnan and 4?5 % in Chongqing provinces, respectively. Higher vitamin D deficiency rates were seen in spring and winter. The incidence of bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency was 3?3 % in 1998-2001 and more prevalent in rural areas. Both iodine deficiency and excess iodine intake were observed. Goitre rates were reported in Tibet, Jiangxi, Gansu and Hong Kong (3?5-46 %). Anaemia rates ranged from 20 % to 40 % in 2007-2011. High Se deficiency rates were found in Tibet, Shaanxi and Jiangsu. High Zn deficiency rates were also found (50-70 %) in 1995-2006. Few studies reported Ca deficiency rates (19?6-34?3 %). The degrees of deficiency for vitamin A, vitamin B 12 , Fe and Zn were more substantial in rural areas compared with urban areas. Conclusions: The prevalence of micronutrient deficiency rates varied. Socioeconomic status, environmental factors and the Chinese diet may influence micronutrient deficiency. Public health policies should consider implementing programmes of supplementation, food fortification and nutrition education to address these deficiencies among Chinese children.

Food sources of energy and nutrients in the diets of infants and toddlers in urban areas of China, based on one 24-hour dietary recall

“…When foods that are poor sources of nutrients become major sources in the diet, it is quite reasonable to speculate that risk of nutrient shortfall could exist. A recent review reported that anaemia prevalence of children under 5 years old in China was 11.3 % in 2005 [19] and the peak of anaemia prevalence was between infants aged 6 to 12 months [20]. In this study, growing-up milk remained to be one of the major contributors to energy and many nutrients among toddlers, which indicated that growing-up milk was commonly consumed among toddlers of the study.…”

Breastfeeding and Red Meat Intake Are Associated with Iron Status in Healthy Korean Weaning-age Infants

“…For example, previous large-scale studies of infants and young children have estimated ID prevalence rates of 5%–20% in Europe and 9% in the US (1921). The estimated IDA prevalence rates are 3%–9% in Europe and 2.1% in the US, whereas Chinese and Brazilian studies have reported far higher prevalence rates of anemia (28.2% and 36.0%, respectively) (19213031). Few large-scale Korean studies have evaluated the prevalence of ID among healthy term infants, and one small-scale Korean study from 2007 reported a similar prevalence of ID among exclusively breastfed term infants from a large suburb, compared to the present study (32).…”

Nutrient Composition of Cereals-based Complementary Flour and its Nutritional Adequacy in Infants Nutrition

“…According to Warthn-Medina et al (2015) micronutrients needs in the first two years of child's life is very high to meet physiological requirements (Warthon-Medina et al, 2015). Micronutrients deficiency contribute to impairment of child growth, cognitive and motor development and affect immunological functioning (Rohner et al 2013;Wieser et al, 2013;Wong et al, 2014). Thus, infants should receive the most nutrient-rich foods to meet their optimal nutrient needs per each age group.…”