[Micronutrient deficiencies in Brazilian children attending daycare centers: a review of the literature].

The scope of the study was to review the scientific publications on the nutritional status of iron, vitamin A and zinc among Brazilian children attending daycare centers, focusing on diagnostic methods, the prevalence of respective deficiencies and associated factors. A review of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases. Observational studies with random representative samples using biochemical indicators to evaluate the nutritional status of iron, vitamin A and zinc of children attending public daycare centers were included. The average weighted prevalence for anemia and vitamin A deficiency was estimated. The variables associated with anemia were computed. Twenty-one observational studies were included, in which the nutritional status of iron, vitamin A and zinc were analyzed in 17, 4 and 3, respectively. The average weighted prevalence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency were 42.7% and 12.5%, respectively. Young children and children living in less favorable socioeconomic situations represented the main explanatory conditions predominantly associated with the occurrence of anemia. The results suggest a high prevalence of anemia, as well as vitamin A deficiency in Brazilian children attending daycare centers, with etiological prospects focused on infectious diseases.