TABLE 3.
Serum retinol concentrations among pregnant women, children, and all study participants in three ecological regions of Nepal1
| Serum retinol, ng/mL | Terai | Hill | Mountain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | (n = 52) | (n = 55) | (n = 55) |
| <200 | 11 (21.2) | 3 (5.5) | 0 (0.0) |
| 200 to <300 | 16 (30.8) | 8 (14.5) | 7 (12.7) |
| ≥300 | 25 (48.1) | 44 (80.0) | 48 (87.3) |
| Children | (n = 56) | (n = 55) | (n = 53) |
| <200 | 15 (26.8) | 4 (7.3) | 2 (3.8) |
| 200 to <300 | 23 (41.1) | 19 (34.5) | 11 (20.8) |
| ≥300 | 18 (32.1) | 32 (58.2) | 40 (75.5) |
| All study participants | (n = 108) | (n = 110) | (n = 108) |
| <200 | 26 (24.1) | 7 (6.4) | 2 (1.9) |
| 200 to <300 | 39 (36.1) | 27 (24.5) | 18 (16.7) |
| ≥300 | 43 (39.8) | 76 (69.1) | 88 (81.5) |
1
Data are present as frequency (%) for categorical variables. Serum retinol < 200 ng/mL, severe vitamin A deficiency; 200 to <300 ng/mL, marginal vitamin A deficiency; ≥300 ng/mL, normal (that is, healthy with no vitamin A deficiency).