Biochemical assessment of the nutritional status of infants, children and adolescents in South Africa (1997-2022): a systematic review

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Biochemical assessment of the nutritional status of infants, children and adolescents in South Africa (1997-2022): a systematic review

Malan et al., 2024 | Public Health Nutr | Systematic Review

Citation

Malan Linda, Zandberg Lizelle, ... Faber Mieke. Biochemical assessment of the nutritional status of infants, children and adolescents in South Africa (1997-2022): a systematic review. Public Health Nutr. 2024-Oct-21;27(1):e210. doi:10.1017/S136898002400137X

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the published peer-reviewed articles on the biochemical assessment of nutritional status of South African infants, children and adolescents in 1997-2022. DESIGN: Online databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, EbscoHost and SAePublications) were used to identify thirty-nine papers. SETTING: South Africa, 1997-2022. PARTICIPANTS: Infants, children and adolescents. RESULTS: Vitamin A deficiency prevalence was 35-67 % before 2001 and mostly below 16 % after 2008. Anaemia ranged from 5·4 to 75·0 %, with 36-54 % of infants below 1 year being anaemic. Among 0- to 6-year-olds, iron deficiency (ID) was 7·2-39·4 % in rural and 16-41·9 % in urban areas. Zn deficiency remained high, especially among 0- to 6-year-olds, at 39-48 %. Iodine insufficiency (UIC < 100 µg/l) was between 0 and 28·8 %, with excessive levels in two areas. Vitamin D deficiency was 5 % for 11- to 17-year-olds in one urban study but 33-87 % in under 10-week-old infants. The 2005 national survey reported sufficient folate status among 0- to 6-year-olds, and vitamin B12 deficiency was 0-21 %. Low-grade inflammation was between 5 % and 42 % depending on the biomarker and cut-offs. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A status may have improved meaningfully during the last 25 years in South Africa to below 16 %, and iodine and folate deficiency appears to be low particularly among 0- to 6-year-olds. However, confirmation is needed by a national survey. Anaemia, Fe and Zn deficiencies still pose severe problems, especially among 0- to 6-year-olds. Sufficient data on vitamin D and B12 status are lacking.

Key Findings

Vitamin A deficiency prevalence was 35-67 % before 2001 and mostly below 16 % after 2008. Anaemia ranged from 5·4 to 75·0 %, with 36-54 % of infants below 1 year being anaemic. Among 0- to 6-year-olds, iron deficiency (ID) was 7·2-39·4 % in rural and 16-41·9 % in urban areas. Zn deficiency remained high, especially among 0- to 6-year-olds, at 39-48 %. Iodine insufficiency (UIC < 100 µg/l) was between 0 and 28·8 %, with excessive levels in two areas. Vitamin D deficiency was 5 % for 11- to 17-yea

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
  • Folic Acid Deficiency
  • Iodine
  • Nutritional Status
  • Prevalence
  • South Africa
  • Vitamin A Deficiency
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09