STATUS OF VITAMIN A, D, E IN CHILDREN OF JIAMUSI AREA; A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Vitamin A, D and E are very essential to normal growth, development and health of children. Deficiencies are being global problem. The objective of this study is to find out the status of serum vitamin A, D, E level in Children below 14 years in Jiamusi city area (latitude 46?48?N longitude130?19?E) of Heilongjiang province in northeast of China. Methods: Children from birth to 14 years of age who came for normal health check up in First affiliated hospital of Jiamusi University were used to collect blood samples for vitamin A, D, E. Vitamin A and E were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and vitamin D was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry from sigma company (USA). Results: A total of 3365 children were participated in a year time. These samples were categorized according to age, gender and season groups. The mean levels of serum vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E was 0.06mg/L, 24.24ng/ml and 8.56mg/L respectively. There was vitamin A deficiency (VAD) (n=1658, 57.6%), more in 6-14 year age group (n=708, 24.6%) and more in summer season (n=552, 19.2%). Similarly vitamin D deficiency (VDD) (n=1203, 36.9%) more in 6-14 years age group (n=756, 23.2%) and in winter season (n=453, 13.9%) was found. There was significant differences on gender, age group and season for analysis of VAD, p<0.05. Vitamin E deficiency (VED) was significantly more frequent in autumn samples (OR=3.34, 95% CI 1.20, 9.28; p=0.01). The study showed no significant differences with age group and gender for vitamin E levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of VAD, VDD was more in Jiamusi city area children with significant difference of vitamin E in autumn season. Vitamin deficiencies are more with increasing age group suggesting the timely adjustment of vitamin and need of supplementation to elder children to have a healthy youth in future.