Table 3.

Characteristics of the studied sample according to the serum vitamin A levels.

Variables	Normal* n = 526 (%)	Subclinical vitamin A deficiency n = 17 (%)	Vitamin A Deficiency n = 7 (%)	P †	P ‡	P §
Age (years)
Preschool (2 – < 6)	300 (57.0)	12 (70.6)	4 (57.1)	0.325	1.000	0.647
School (6–12)	226 (43.0)	5 (29.4)	3 (42.9)
Gender
Male	307 (58.4)	12 (70.6)	3 (42.9)	0.454	0.459	0.356
Female	219 (41.6)	5 (29.4)	4 (57.1)
Nutritional status
Underweight	40 (7.6)	6 (35.3)	3 (42.9)	0.002∥	0.014∥	1.000
Normal	398 (75.7)	9 (52.9)	3 (42.9)	0.045∥	0.067	1.000
Overweight/obese	88 (16.7)	2 (11.8)	1 (14.2)	0.751	1.000	1.000
Respiratory illness
Cold	155 (29.5)	1 (5.9)	0 (0.0)	0.031∥	0.202	1.000
Pharyngitis	140 (26.6)	1 (5.9)	0 (0.0)	0.087	0.198	1.000
Otitis media	90 (17.1)	4 (23.5)	3 (42.9)	0.513	0.106	0.374
Sinusitis	40 (7.6)	6 (35.3)	2 (28.6)	0.002∥	0.099	1.000
Pneumonia	1 (0.2)	5 (29.4)	2 (28.6)	<0.001∥	<0.001∥	1.000

^*Normal level vitamin A group includes 100 children with no respiratory symptoms.

^†Difference between Normal and Subclinical deficiency groups.

^‡Difference between Normal and Deficiency groups.

^§Difference between Subclinical deficiency and Deficiency groups.

^∥Significant.