The Effect of Sugar Fortification with Vitamin A on Serum Retinol and Retinol Binding Protein of Khalwa Students at Risk of Vitamin A Deficiency

Abstract

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem in
Sudan
Objectives: The aim of this study is to test the effect of sugar fortified with vitamin A on VA status of Khalwa students (informal education).
Methods:Sixty Khalwa students age 6-11 years were included in the study. Each student consumed about 28g of the fortified sugar for thirty days. Blood samples were collected before breakfast, to measure serum retinol (SR) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) of children before and after consuming the fortified sugar. Data including socioeconomic status and
dietary intake of VA rich food were obtained. Anthropometric measurements and clinical examinations to detect signs of VAD were performed.
Results: Mean SR was 32.42 ±15.43ìg/dl and mean RBP was 20.96 ±14.32mg/l, which increased significantly to 49.08 ±12.2ìg/dl and 30.42±15.95mg/l respectively after consumption of the fortified sugar (P=0.000 for SR and p<0.005 for RBP). Serum retinol 30 days response (SR30DR) and retinol binding protein 30 days response (RBP30DR) both showed levels indicating severe VAD as a public health problem at baseline among 60%. Most cases were from low socio-economic status and 43.3% were mildly malnourished.
Conclusion: sugar fortification improved SR and RBP of the studied subjects who were considered at risk of VAD and would be expected to reduce the prevalence of VAD in Sudan.

Keywords: Africa, malnutrition, measles.

Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (1) 2008: pp. 1-6