Estimation of Vitamin A Stores in Children and Women in Guatemala and Relation With Potential Toxicity Markers

The goal of this study is to assess whether VA intakes above the tolerable upper intake level (UL) and exposure to multiple programs are associated with are associated with 1) exposure to multiple VA intervention programs, and 2) elevated liver vitamin A concentration and biomarkers of excess vitamin A. Guatemala was selected as a study site because the country has a long standing national fortification program for vitamin A in sugar (law since 1975, re-launched and maintained since the 90´s). Typically, fortified sugar is used in more than 90% of households at average concentrations of 9 to 10 µg/g of sugar. VA fortified foods, in the form of fortified sugar, foods prepared with fortified sugar and other fortified foods, reach children from 2 years old to adulthood. On the other hand, high dose VA supplements, provided by local health services, only reached 10.5% of children ages 6-59 month in 2013. Children ages 2-3 and 4-5 years old with VA intakes above and below the UL will be recruited together with their mothers to assess the cumulative effect of fortification on young children and their mothers. Data from Program of Food and Nutrition Security (PROSAN), of the Ministry of Health, Guatemala in 2013, shows that coverage in the 30 Health Areas of the country is 17.9%, the lowest is 4.4% (San Marcos) and the largest 33% (Petén). Four of the 30 Region Areas correspond to the Department of Guatemala, in which urban and peri-urban areas of Guatemala City are included. In Central and North-West Guatemala Areas, coverage is 23 and 22% respectively, both above national average coverage and within the 10 out of 30 top coverages. According to PROSAN data for Micronutrient Powders in 2013, all four regions North-East, North-West, South, and Central Guatemala areas are also around or above the national coverage (14%) with 21.8, 11.2, 17.3 and 13.8% coverage. Another advantage of remaining in the 4 areas of Health around Guatemala city is that the four combined amount for 300,000 children of 0-59 month-old, that is more than 15% of the national children population reported. Even if coverages are low, population density will easier children recruitment.

Inclusion criteria

• Children 3-5 years old and their mothers
• Child VA intake must be above 250 micrograms/day
• Children must be apparently healthy, Hemoglobin>9 g/dL at recruitment point, C-reactive protein<5 mg/L. For Women, Hemoglobin>10 g/dL, C-reactive protein<5 mg/L

Exclusion criteria

°Children with Congenital or chronical diseases, reported illnesses 1 week before the test. For Women: Pregnancy or lactation, Previously known Chronic Diseases