Iron and zinc status of children aged 3 to 5 years attending Early Childhood Development centres in Venda, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed iron and zinc levels of preschoolers. 276 children were randomly chosen from 8 preschools. Weight and height were measured using standard techniques. After blood was obtained, serum zinc, iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and transferrin were assessed. Dietary intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Prevalence of severe underweight, stunted, and acute malnutrition was 4.7%, 12.7% and 2.9%. Using transferrin saturation<5%, one-quarter were iron deficient. Using serum iron<40 μg/dl as indicative of depletion, 8% exhibited low serum iron while 18% were mildly deficient. Based on ferritin<12 μg/L, 99% had iron deficiency.