Risk of zinc deficiency among children aged 0–59 months in sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review

Abstract

Background: Although relatively abundant in nature, zinc deficiency is one of the most prevalent mineral micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there are limited data on zinc nutriture for children in the SSA region.
Objective: A study was undertaken to review the available literature that reported the prevalence of zinc deficiency assessed using the three population-level indicators (plasma/serum zinc, dietary zinc intake and stunting) among children 0–59 months of age in SSA.
Methods: A search combination of words was performed on PUBMED, Google Scholar, AGORA, ScienceDirect and SpringerLink databases. The following search terms were entered; “stunting OR low height for age AND serum zinc OR plasma zinc, AND dietary zinc intake AND under five AND Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Results: We identified 25 studies. Two were randomised controlled trials and the rest were cross-sectional studies of which eight were national surveys. Nineteen studies from nine countries have assessed plasma or serum zinc. A total of 10 studies from 6 countries assessed dietary zinc intake. The prevalence of risk of zinc deficiency ranged from 20–83% using PZn/SZn, and 31–99% using inadequate dietary Zn intake, with the exception of one study that reported 8%.
Conclusion: The risk of zinc deficiency among children aged between 0 and 59 months appears to be high and of public health concern. Stunting was the most commonly reported proxy indicator of zinc deficiency. When planning interventions, stakeholders should consider collecting appropriate biomarker data and design context-specific interventions.

Keywords: Africa, biomarker, dietary intake, stunting, zinc deficiency