Multiple Micronutrient Deficiencies are Related to the Nutritional Status of Children Living in North and Far North Regions of Cameroon

Several micronutrients are essential for adequate growth of children. However, little information is available on multiple micronutrient status of preschool children in Cameroon. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between multiple micronutrient levels and nutritional status among preschool school children. This was a cross-sectional study of 331 children 6-59 months in the North and Far North Regions of Cameroon. Serum concentration of magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Ferritin, sTfR, RBP, CRP, AGP were measured by Sandwich ELISA. Weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height were used to estimate the children's nutritional status. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting among preschool children was 42.0%, 26.0%, and 6.6%, respectively. The mean serum levels of magnesium, calcium, Body Iron Stores, copper,  and zinc were 19.9±0.1 (μg/dl), 80.7±0.3 (μg/dl), 1.02±0.25 (mg/kg), 201.5.30±33.7 (μg/dl), and 49.4±0.8 (μg/dl) respectively. The proportion of low plasma Zinc Concentration was 85.6%, Iron Deficiency anemia was 24.2% with 37.9 % of Iron deficiency associated to anemia. Height-for-age showed significant positive correlation with the levels of Zinc (r=0.093, p