Copper, iron and zinc deficiencies in children under 5 years of age

Introduction: The determination of serum levels of micronutrients in children under 5 years of age is a basic requirement to establish the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies in the child population and is a useful strategy to encourage Public Health agencies to take steps regarding application. and/or modification of National Food Policies. Objective: To determine the serum levels of copper, iron and zinc in Paraguayan children under 5 years of age. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Blood samples from 1,441 children under 5 years of age who came from the Departments of Alto Parana, Caaguazu, Central and the capital of Paraguay were processed. Complete blood counts were performed and the serum concentrations of albumin, copper, ferritin and zinc were determined in all samples. Results: The children in this study had an average age of 3 years and 3 months, they were 52.74% male and 47.26% female. The prevalence of anemia was 45.25% and the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia was 20.65%. Copper deficiencies were detected in 14.03%, ferritin in 6.98% and zinc in 43.62% of the children. Conclusion: The results of this study support the need to expand the coverage of the Comprehensive Nutritional Food Program (PANI program), to consider whether the amounts of minerals and vitamins in the Program's nutritional formula should be adjusted, and to improve prenatal care.