Objective:

To describe the current status of micronutrient deficiencies (MD) and anemia in Mexican children.

Materials and methods:

Serum data from 1 382 pre-school-age children (1-4 years) and 3 590 school-age children (5-11 years) Ensanut 2018-19 participants were analyzed. Iron deficiency (ID), vitamin B12 deficiency (B12D), vitamin A depletion (VADp), and anemia were identified. Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics of children and MD.

Results:

Anemia was present in 28.9 and 19.2% of the children aged 1-4 and 5-11, respectively; in ID 10 and 5.1%; B12D, in 5.1 and 4.8%, and VADp, in 4.7 and 4.3%. 18.5% of the preschool-age children and 13% of the school-age children had at least one MD associated to anemia.

Conclusions:

MD and anemia affect the younger children in larger proportion. Fortification and supplementation programs should be reinforced to avoid the long-term consequences of MD.

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