Abstract
Introduction: The importance of iron, zinc and copper for proper development and organic functions is recognized.
Objective: To determine the level of zinc, iron and copper deficiency in children under 5 years of age in Asunción, Central, Caaguazú and Alto Paraná, Paraguay
Material and Methods: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional design. Probability sampling. Random, stratified sample. Sample size: 1441 children from 1 to 4 years of age from Asunción, Central, Caaguazú and Alto Paraná, who attended health check-ups and nurseries. Informed consent was obtained from the parents. Blood levels of zinc, copper, hemoglobin, ferritin, and albumin were determined. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Tropical Medicine.
Results: 1,441 children were admitted. Median age 39 months. 52.74% male. 43.62% (95% CI 41.02-46.23) presented low serum levels of zinc (reference 0.78-2.51 ug/mL), being 49.80% less than 2 years. 6.98% (95% CI 5.56-8.32) presented low values of iron deposits (7 to 142 ug/mL), being 15.81% less than 2 years. 14.03% (95% CI 12.20-15.85) presented low blood copper values (reference: 0.82-2.80 ug/mL), being 15.75% less than 2 years. 45.25% (95% CI 42.52-47.99) of the children presented anemia, 69.26% corresponding to children under 2 years of age. 20.65% (95% CI 0.26-1.07) presented hypoalbuminemia.
Conclusion: Anemia represents a public health problem for children under 5 years of age, predominantly in children under 2 years of age. Zinc deficiency is high.
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