Resumen

ANGARITA, Coromoto et al. Estado nutricional, antropométrico, bioquímico y clínico en preescolares de la comunidad rural de Canaguá. Estado Mérida. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2001, vol.14, n.2, pp.75-85. ISSN 0798-0752.

In the present study we assessed the nutritional status of 66 preschool children from different social-economics levels, chosen by the random stratified samples, living in the rural community of Canaguá, State of Mérida. Evaluation was done through anthropometric, clinical-nutritional, hematological, biochemical, and parasitological tests. According to anthropometric values, more than 70% of the children studied were within the norm. Hematological and biochemical values showed than more than 80% of the children had acceptable levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration, whereas the percentaje of subjects with serum iron levels below 0.50 m g/mL was 30%. Thus, six preeschool children, five malnourished and one normal, had a ferropenic microcytic hypochromic anemia. The mean serum concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E were 0.300± 0.15 and 5.87± 0.43 m g/mL, respectively. If the cutoff value of < 0.249 m g/mL is chosen to indicate subjects at possible risk for vitamin A deficiency then 27% of our sample was at risk. 30% of the preschoolers presented clinical signs such as dry hair, pale conjuntives, muscular hypothony. This study also reports a high prevalence of cavities in the population studied. Stool examination demonstrated that 66.67% of children presented parasite infestation. It is concluded that the preschool childred studied were in acceptable conditions in the majority of the parameters used in clinico-nutritional, hematological and biochemical evaluation.

Palabras clave : Preschool children; nutritional status; malnutrition; anemia; serum iron; serum fat-soluble vitam.