Vitamin sufficiency of children visiting preschool educational institutions from different regions (Moscow region, Yekaterinburg)

Abstract

Introduction. The deficiency of vitamins is a factor that has a negative impact on the growth and development of the child, it leads to a decrease in nonspecific resistance of the organism, a decrease in the adaptive potential, acts as a risk factor for the development of nutritional disorders, aggravates the process and makes it difficult to treat any disease.
 The purpose of the study. Assessment of the vitamin status of children attending pre-school educational institution by means of non-invasive methods for urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and metabolites of B vitamins.
 Materials and methods. 49 children (26 boys and 23 girls) aged 4 to 7 years living in Moscow region, and 51 children (26 boys and 25 girls) 2-7 years old living in Ekaterinburg were examined in 2015-16 years (winter-spring period). Сhildren received the main nutrition in kindergarten. In the evening time on weekdays children additionally received separate foods or ready meals at home, on weekends (2 of 7 days) children ate at home. The supply with vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6 was evaluated by its hour urinary excretion.
 Results. The picture of vitamin status of children from different regions turned out to be almost identical. The lack of vitamin B2 was found in about one third of the children, vitamin B1 and B6 insufficiency took place significantly 2 fold more often (in 61.2-76.5%). Decreased vitamin C excretion took place in 34.7% of children from the Moscow region. Only every fifth child was provided with all studied vitamins. A significant number of children showed multivitamin deficiency. Children who received multivitamin supplements were better supplied with these micronutrients.
 Conclusion. The results indicate the need for correction of multimicronutrient insufficiency in children by including in the diet of fortified food products, the use of baby specialized products enriched with micronutrients, and vitamin-mineral supplements intake.