The relationship between serum retinol concentrations and subclinical infection in rural Brazilian children/Relacao entre as concentracoes sericas de retinol e a infeccao subclinica em criancas rurais brasileiras

To evaluate the relationship between serum retinol concentrations and subclinical infection in children from rural settlements. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in nine rural settlements in the northeastern region of Brazil, involving 118 children aged 6 to 59 months. The relationship between serum retinol and C-Reactive Protein levels, an important marker of infectious and inflammatory processes, was investigated by multiple linear regression, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and nutritional variables. Serum retinol and C-Reactive Protein were measured, respectively, by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and immunoturbidimetric assay in automated equipment. Vitamin A deficiency (retinol