Micronutrient Status and Child Growth in Mexico: Results From the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the associations between micronutrient status and child growth, as part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Mexico. MethodsData from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2018) were analyzed to examine the association between micronutrient status and child growth in 1,656 children 36 to 59 months of age. Micronutrient biomarkers (serum ferritin (SF), vitamin B12, vitamin D, serum zinc) were measured in venous blood samples via immunoassays. Child weight and height were measured using standardized procedures, and indicators weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and body mass index (BMI) Z-scores were calculated using the WHO Anthro V3.1 and categorized as per WHO Child Growth Standards. Micronutrient biomarkers were natural logarithmically transformed prior to analyses. Iron deficiency was defined as SF < 12.0 μg/L and iron insufficiency was defined as SF < 20.0 μg/L. Vitamin B12 deficiency and insufficiency were defined as < 148 and < 221 pmol/L, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as < 50 nmol/L, and zinc deficiency was defined as < 65μg/dL. Survey linear regression models were used to examine associations of micronutrient status with WHO Z-scores. ResultsSerum ferritin concentrations (β [SE]: 0.096 [0.001], p < 0.0001) and vitamin B12 (0.092 [0.003], p < 0.0001) concentrations were associated with higher WHZ. Vitamin B12 (0.171 [0.004], p < 0.0001), vitamin D (0.358 [0.007], p < 0.0001), and zinc (0.122 [0.006], p < 0.0001) concentrations were associated with higher HAZ. Iron deficiency (β [SE]: -0.469 [0.004], p < 0.0001) and zinc deficiency (-0.203 [0.01], p < 0.0001) were associated with lower WHZ, and vitamin B12 (-0.449 [0.002], p < 0.0001), vitamin D (-0.215 [0.001], p < 0.0001) and zinc (-0.216 [0.01], p < 0.0001) deficiencies were associated with lower HAZ. ConclusionsMicronutrient deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc were associated with lower linear growth in young children in Mexico. Funding SourcesENSANUT was funded by The Ministry of Health of Mexico.