ASSESSMENT OF THE FEEDING PRACTICES, VITAMIN A, IRON, ZINC AND ANTHROPOMETRICS STATUS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES OF FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT
The study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices, anthropometric indices, vitamin A,
zinc and iron status of under-five orphans living in Federal Capital Territory orphanages, Abuja.
A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using 200 orphans (96 males and 104 females)
aged between 0-5 years living in ten orphanages. The subjects were purposively selected for the
study and 20% of sub-sample was randomly selected for biochemical analysis and weighed food
intake assessment. Haemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin were used to assess anaemia and iron
status, respectively. Serum retinol was used to assess vitamin A status and serum zinc was used
to assess zinc status. The subjects were screened for malaria parasites and worm infection to
determine their possible impact on anaemia. C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an indicator
for inflammation. Anthropometric information was assessed using height, weight and mid upper
arm circumference. Feeding practices and socioeconomic information were assessed using
questionnaires.