Detection of Micronutrients Deficiency in Egyptian Children Using Dietary Diversity Score: A cross-sectional study

Pediatric nutrition

Abstract

Objective: To detect malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency using the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) to improve infants' and children's physical and mental health.

Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and duration: Pediatric outpatient clinic at Suez Canal University hospital for 1 year.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted recruiting 100 children from 6 months to 6 years old attending a tertiary Hospital Pediatric clinic. The study population was divided into three groups based on diversity score: Low score for those who consumed ≤ 3 food groups, medium score who consumed 4-5 food groups, and high score who consumed ≥ 6 food groups.

Results: Children with Low DDS had both Iron and Zinc deficiencies with an incidence of 90.6% and 29.7 %, respectively. Children with medium DDS had Iron deficiency (27.6%) and no Zinc deficiency, while children with high DDS had Iron deficiency (14.3 %) and no Zinc deficiency. Children with Low DDS showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.001) in Ferritin levels compared to children with medium and high DDS.

Conclusion: Dietary diversity score is a valid indicator to evaluate micronutrient inadequacy. Children with Low dietary diversity had 35% zinc deficiency, about 97% iron deficiency, and 48.4 % ferritin deficiency.