Isolated and combined prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in preschool children 12-72 months for the government of Paraíba

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the isolated and combined prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in pre-school children, as well as the distribution of isolated deficiencies according to gender, age and prior supplementation with vitamin A. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with pre-school children in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Analysis of the average concentrations of hemoglobin, serum retinol and serum zinc, according to gender, age and previous vitamin A supplementation of children were carried out as well as the risk of simultaneous occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies in the presence of these deficiencies. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency were 15.4%, 23.3% and 13.8%, respectively. The anemia was significantly associated with age (p