Serum vitamin A, D and E concentrations and status in children in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China.

To investigate the vitamin A, D, E concentrations and status, and analyse the associated risk factors for vitamin A, D, E deficiency in children in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China.The study included a total of 25,806 children admitted to hospitals in Shaanxi province from January 2019 to December 2019. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin A, D, E concentrations. A logistic regression model was performed to estimate the association between risk factors and vitamin A, D, E deficiency and insufficiency.The mean serum vitamin A, D, E concentrations were 0.87±0.33 mol/L, 63.7±29.7 nmol/L and 20.8±6.98 mol/L, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin A, D, E deficiency was high in neonates (15.1%, 81.5% and 44.9%, respectively). Children living in rural areas were at higher risk for vitamin A, D, E deficiency and insufficiency. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children was 7.68 times (95% CI: 6.97-8.47) higher in winter than in summer. With adjustment for gender, season, and living regions, age correlated positively with serum vitamin A concentration (r=0.110, p<0.001), and negatively with vitamin D and E concentrations (r=-0.370 and r=-0.250 both p<0.001).This study showed that the prevalence of vitamin A, D and E deficiency was extremely high in neonates in Shaanxi province, northwest China. Children living in rural areas and winter had a high risk of vitamin A, D, E deficiency and insufficiency.