Anemia and Iron and Vitamin B12 Deficiencies in Children Under 5 in Mexico: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). (29th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leal, Cristina Güitrón; Shamah-Levy, Teresa; Dommarco, Juan Rivera; Villalpando, Salvador; Haas, Jere; Mehta, Saurabh; Finkelstein, Julia
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 4(2020)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 835
• Page End: 835
• Publication Date: 2020-05-29
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa053_040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To examine the burden of anemia, iron deficiency, and vitamin B12 deficiency in children under 5 in Mexico. Methods: Data from the recently completed National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2018) were analyzed to examine the burden of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in children under 5 (1 to <5 years). Hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations werequantified in capillary blood samples ( n = 3144) via HemoCue.Venous blood samples ( n = 1019) were collected, centrifuged, processed, and stored <−80°C until analysis of micronutrient biomarkers. Serum ferritin (SF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured via immunoassays. Hemoglobin was adjusted for altitude; anemia was defined as hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL. Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin <12.0 µg/L and iron insufficiency was defined as serum ferritin <20.0 µg/L; inflammation was defined as CRP concentrations > 5.0 mg/L (and CRP > 1.0 mg/L). Iron deficiency anemia was defined as hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL and serum ferritin <12.0 μg/L. Vitamin B12 deficiency and vitamin B12 insufficiency were defined as <148.0 and <221.0 pmol/L, respectively. Survey frequency procedures were used to examine the prevalence of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies; survey linear and logistic regression were used to examine associations of micronutrient biomarkers with hemoglobin concentrations and odds of anemia. Results: A total of 22.9% of children were anemic in this population. In the biomarker sub-sample, 10.0% of children were iron deficient (SF < 12.0 µg/L), and 29.9% had serum ferritin concentrations <20.0 µg/L. A total of 9.5% of children had CRP concentrations >5.0 mg/L, and 34.7% had CRP > 1.0 mg/L. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (vitamin B12 < 148.0 pmol/L) was 5.4% and 21.5% of children had vitamin B12 insufficiency (vitamin B12 < 221.0 pmol/L). Conclusions: Findings suggest that the burden of anemia and iron and vitamin B12 insufficiency is high in young children in Mexico. Funding Sources: ENSANUT was funded by The Ministry of Health of Mexico.