Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies clinically in rural school going children

Abstract

Background: Micronutrients are those vitamins and minerals required in very small quantities in our bodies which are essential for a number of different functions including growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies (MD) are the conditions which are prevalent in the society and parents are unaware of the same due to their asymptomatic nature. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of MD in school children in rural area of Kolhapur district.Methods: This prospective study was carried out among 960 school children of, 8 randomly selected Government schools (120 from each school and from each class 30 children) between the age group of 5-10 years in rural Kolhapur, between July-September 2017. Clinical Features of MD for vitamin A (corneal dryness, Bitot’s spot, skin lesions), for vitamin B (angular chelosis, glossitis, knuckle pigmentation), for vitamin C (bleeding gums, scorbutic rosary), for vitamin D (bow legs, rachitic rosary, pot belly, frontal bossing) and pallor, goitre, dental caries for iron, iodine and fluoride deficiency respectively were examined. The data was analysed statistically.Results: The overall prevalence of MD was 35% with 37.45% in girls with highest (40.8%) in the age group of 8-9 years. The features of vitamin deficiency for vitamin B in 30%, for vitamin A in 15%, for vitamin D in 12%, for vitamin C in 2%. The features of mineral deficiency for iron and fluoride in 38.8% and 36.6% respectively were present. Commonest clinical features of vitamin deficiency were glossitis (15.6%), corneal dryness (9.6%), angular chelosis (7.5%) and knuckle pigmentation (6.9%). Multiple MD were seen in 12.7% of children. Conclusions: Rural school children do suffer from MD significantly. These conditions should be timely evaluated as these are preventable and treatable.