Serum Vitamin A Nutritional Status of Children and Adolescents Aged 6-17 Years - China, 2016-2017.

SUMMARY: What is already known on this topic? Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children is still a global public health problem, which needs continuous monitoring and timely intervention.

UNLABELLED: What is added by this report? Using surveillance data from China Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Mothers in 2016-2017, the prevalence of VAD and marginal deficiency was 0.96% and 14.71%, respectively. The vitamin A nutritional status of children and adolescents from urban areas and those aged 12-17 years were better than those from rural areas and aged 6-11 years.

UNLABELLED: What are the implications for public health practice? Marginal VAD was a major form of VAD in Chinese children. The monitoring of vitamin A status in key populations should be continuously strengthened, and the public should be encouraged to consume foods rich in vitamin A or vitamin A supplements.