Prevalencia del déficit de Vitamina A en niños de Latinoamérica menores de 5 años, una revisión bibliográfica

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health issue that severely impacts child development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Latin America, the magnitude and distribution of VAD in children under five is heterogeneous and linked to multiple socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related factors. The general objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and main risk factors of vitamin A deficiency in children under five in Latin American countries, through a systematic literature review of studies published between 2015 and 2024. The PRISMA method was used to identify, select, and analyze scientific articles, prioritizing those with up-to-date epidemiological data and proven methodological rigor. The most important finding showed that while some countries have achieved a prevalence below 5%—such as Cuba and Costa Rica—others, including Haiti, Colombia, and Mexico, exceed 20%, indicating a severe public health problem. The most frequent risk factors include multidimensional poverty, low maternal education, poor dietary diversity, and recurrent childhood infections. The study concludes that VAD in Latin America remains a complex issue linked to structural inequality, and that its reduction requires integrated strategies across nutrition, health, education, and social development sectors.