ARS | Publication request: NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND BLOOD HEMOGLOBIN AND ZINC PROTOPORPHYRIN CONCENTRATIONS OF FILIPINO SCHOOLCHILDREN IN BAGAC, BATAAN

Submitted to: Asian Congress of Dietetics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 28, 2005
Publication Date: April 1, 2006
Citation: Maramag, C.C., Ribaya-Mercado, J.D., Tengco, L.W., Rayco-Solon, P., Solon, F.S. 2006. Nutritional status and blood hemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin concentrations of filipino schoolchildren in bagac, bataan. Asian Congress of Dietetics. p. 108.

Technical Abstract: A low blood hemoglobin concentration is most commonly used to detect anemia, and an elevated blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) concentration is thought to be indicative of iron deficiency. We aimed to determine the relationships of nutritional status and hemoglobin and ZPP concentrations among 119 schoolchildren, aged 9-11 years, in the rural community of Bagac, Bataan, Philippines. Weight was measured using a platform scale and height was determined using a microtoise. Nutritional status was determined by comparing the weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and body mass index-for-age z-scores (BAZ) with the 2000 CDC growth reference data. Blood samples were extracted by venipuncture for determination of hemoglobin concentrations using a HemoCue B-Hemoglobin photometer and ZPP concentrations using a hematoflourometer. There were 47.9% underweight, 37.8% stunted and 1.7% schoolchildren at risk for obesity. The hemoglobin concentration (mean +/- SD) was 12.5 +/- 1.0 g/dL and the ZPP concentration was 50.9 +/- 18.1 mmol/mol heme. Linear regression showed significant associations between hemoglobin concentration and nutritional status: WAZ regression coefficient=0.30 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.10-0.50, p=0.003); HAZ regression coefficient=0.23 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.05-0.40, p=0.012); BAZ regression coefficient=0.19 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.03-0.35, p=0.017). There were no significant associations between ZPP concentration and nutritional status. Conclusions: In school-aged children, blood hemoglobin, but not ZPP concentration, is positively associated with the nutritional status indicators of weight, height, and body mass index. Funder: National Research Initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, grant number 2003-35200-13607.