Biochemical evidence suggestive of suboptimal zinc and vitamin A status in schoolchildren in Northeast Thailand

Article Abstract:

Based on recent research studies, it appears that inadequate intake of the mineral zinc causes reduced ability of the body to utilize vitamin A. In Thailand, vitamin A deficiency has been a major public health problem. A study was conducted to assess the zinc and vitamin A nutrition of 283 school children, aged 7 to 13 years, living in Thailand. The serum vitamin A level averaged 1.06 micromoles per liter (umol/L), as compared with the average 1.26 umol/L level for children in the United States. In addition, over 25 percent of the Thai children studied had serum vitamin A levels that were less than 0.86 umol/L. Serum zinc levels were considered low in 70 percent of the children, and 23 percent had both low zinc and low vitamin A. Zinc deficiency may affect vitamin A metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of retinol-binding protein (RBP), a protein that carries retinol (vitamin A) in the bloodstream. It was found that the study subjects had lower RBP levels than a group of healthy Thai children. There was a significant correlation between serum zinc and RBP, while zinc and vitamin A levels were not correlated. These findings demonstrate that a large percentage of rural children in Northeast Thailand are at risk for inadequate vitamin A and zinc nutrition. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Thailand, Surveys, Food and nutrition, Malnutrition in children, Child malnutrition, Vitamin A deficiency, Zinc deficiency diseases, Vitamin A deficiency in children

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Lactose absorption and consumption in Curacao schoolchildren

Article Abstract:

The inability to absorb lactose is common throughout the world, particularly among people who are not of Northeast European descent. Although lactose malabsorption is prevalent among the children of the island of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, a school nutritional program provides milk to the schoolchildren. The nutritional value of this milk program, the proportion of 729 children (aged 8 to 9 years) with lactose malabsorption, and the lactose consumption of these children were assessed in 1984. Lactose consumption was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Lactose absorption was determined by a breath-hydrogen test (which measures the hydrogen content of the breath) after children were given 0.5 grams of lactose per kilogram of body weight. Lactose malabsorption, indicated by an increase in breath-hydrogen of more than 20 parts per million, was detected in only 14 percent of the schoolchildren. Lactose malabsorption was not associated with lactose consumption. The low prevalence of lactose malabsorption may be due to the use of a physiological dose of lactose; good nutritional status of the children; and absence of extensive infestation with parasites or endemic diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Pediatric diseases, Demographic aspects, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Lactose intolerance, Lactose intolerance in children

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