OBJECTIVE: To verify the factors associated with the concentration of retinol in infants assisted in a health public system. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out with 101 infants aged 18-24 months assisted at the health public system in the urban area of Viçosa city, Southeastern Brazil. The retinol concentration was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. In order to identify the dietary practices the 24 hours recall information was obtained. The interviews were accomplished with infant's parents or with their caretakers at home. Evaluation of the variables associated to serum retinol levels was done by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 39.6%. The factors positively associated with serum retinol levels were paternal years of education and the diet protein content. On the other hand, the number of household inhabitants and the infant's age were negatively associated with the levels of retinol. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem among infants in Viçosa city. Socioeconomic, dietetic and biological variables are associated to serum concentration of retinol in infants.
vitamin A; infant nutrition; infant; nutritional status
