Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children aged 6-9 years in Wukro, northern Ethiopia

Objective To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children a ged 6-9 years in northern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out and the data were analysed for 824 (61.5%) of 1339 eligible children for whom there was complete infor mation on biochemical vitamin A status, dietary vitamin A intake, ocular ex amination for xerophthalmia, and anthropometiy. Findings The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 5.8%; serum retinol levels wer e below 0.35 mu mol/l and between 0.35 and 0.70 mu mol/l in 8.4% and 51.1% of the children respectively. The liver vitamin A reserve (modified relativ e dose response ratio greater than or equal to 0.06) was low in 41.0% of th e children. Conclusion The high prevalence of severe vitamin A deficiency in children a ged 6-9 years indicates the need to reevaluate the practice of targeting vi tamin A supplementation programmes on children under 6 years of age in area s where vitamin A deficiency is endemic.