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Table 2 Definitions of various micronutrient deficiencies

From: Micronutrient fortification of food and its impact on woman and child health: a systematic review

Term

Definition

Anemiaa

Children 6 to 59 months of age: Hb less than 110 g/l

Children 5 to 11 years of age: Hb less than 115 g/l

Children 12 to 14 years of age: Hb less than 120 g/l

Women 15 years and older: Hb less than 120 g/l

Vitamin A deficiencyb

Plasma (serum) retinol concentration of less than 20 μg/dl

Zinc deficiencyc

Serum zinc concentration of less than 10.7 μmol/L

Asymptomatic zinc deficiency

Serum zinc concentration of less than 10.7 μmol/L with the absence of clinical signs and symptoms.

  1. a Adapted from WHO VIMNIS (available from http://www.who.int/vmnis/indicators/haemoglobin/en/) [229].
  2. b Adapted from WHO. Global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in populations at risk 1995–2005 [230].
  3. c Adapted from WHO. Trace elements in human nutrition and health. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 1996 [231] Hb, hemoglobin.