American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 53, 70-73, Copyright © 1991 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the Diourbel, Fatick, and Kaolack regions of Senegal: epidemiological study

C Carlier, JP Moulia-Pelat, JF Ceccon, MS Mourey, B Ameline, M Fall, M N'Diaye and O Amedee-Manesme
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM U.56 Hopital de Bicetre, Kremlin-Bicetre, France.

The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of protein- calorie malnutrition (PCM), ocular diseases, and vitamin A deficiency in preschool children selected at random in a rural zone of the groundnut belt of Senegal. The prevalence of PCM was 37.1% (95% CI 33.8- 40.2%) according to the Waterlow classification, with a majority of stunting, and prevalence of hypovitaminosis A was estimated to be 11.4% (95% CI 9.3-13.5%) by using impression cytology. Furthermore, 19.4% (95% CI 15.8-22.0%) of the children might be defined at risk of deficiency. The prevalence of Bitot's spots was equal to 0.2% (95% CI 0.03-0.9%). A problem of PCM associated with a health-endangering vitamin A deficiency existed.

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