Micronutrient deficiencies in normal and overweight infants in a low socio-economic population in north-east Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies are the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide. Although commonly related to underweight, micronutrient deficiencies can occur in both normal and overweight children in medium- and low-income populations undergoing nutritional transition.

OBJECTIVE: To describe haemoglobin and micronutrient levels in infants from a low-income area in Brazil in relation to their weight-for-length Z-score.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 2-11-month-old infants in Laranjeiras, a small urban community in North-east-Brazil between April 2009 and February 2010. Anthropometry and assays for haemoglobin, ferritin, plasma zinc, copper and selenium and erythrocyte zinc and copper concentrations were investigated.

RESULTS: The total number of full-term infants born in the study period was 222, of whom 153 were available for the study. Three (2%) children were wasted, 98 (66%) were of normal weight, 37 (25%) were at risk of overweight and 11 (7%) were overweight or obese. Nearly all (97%) children had at least one micronutrient deficiency, 102 (67%) had anaemia, 86 (58%) and 100 (67%) had plasma and erythrocyte zinc deficiency, respectively, and 7 (5%) and 113 (76%) had plasma and erythrocyte copper deficiency, respectively. 138 (91%) children had selenium deficiency. Except for plasma zinc, the proportion of infants with micronutrient deficiencies did not differ by weight-for-length status.

CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of overweight and micronutrient deficiencies in this population highlights the need to address the double burden of excess weight with micronutrient deficiencies in medium- and low-income settings.