Resumen

MONTILVA, Mariela et al. Vitamina A en niños menores de 7 años de comunidades suburbanas. Barquisimeto - Venezuela. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2001, vol.14, n.1, pp.15-19. ISSN 0798-0752.

With the purpose of assessing the vitamin A nutritional status in children under seven years at a suburban area in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, a transversal cross study was done. Wards at Juan de Vi I legas community (city west side) were classified in five classes according to the percentage of unsatisfied basic need families; then, a stratified sample by conglomeratics was done, which resulted in 292 children. In every child the nutritional condition was evaluated through anthropometry and serum retinol through HPLC method; socioeconomic condition was evaluated through Graffar- Méndez Castellano method. 14% of the sample showed low retinol values « 20 ug/dl), 55,1 % values between 20-29 ug/dl and 30,8% normal values. No significant differences were found in serum retinol according to sex, age, nutritional status and life conditions. However, a tendency to a high percentageofchildrenwith normal retinol values living in communities with 0-19% unsatisfied basic needs was observed. Children who lived in inadequate households and no basic services showed 2,3 times more riskofvitamin Adeficiency. An important percentageofchildren with subclinic vitamin A deficiency were observed, for what it is necessary to apply preventive specific programs. A research aboutthevitamin A status in the country is also proposed.

Palabras clave : Vitamin A; Retinol; Nutritional Status.