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Nutrition During Early Life: Findings From Conception and Early Life (Poster Theater Flash Session 6)

(PTFS06-04-25) Global Burden of Diseases Attributed to Vitamin A and Zinc Deficiencies Among Under Five Children: A Secondary Analysis Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2023 Study

Sunday, June 1, 2025
2:12 PM – 2:24 PM ET
Location: South Hall B (The Hub) - Poster Theater / Poster Board Number PT-4

    Presenting Author(s)

  • DH

    Demowoz Haile, PhD

    Research Scientist
    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
    Davis, California, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MB

    Michael D. Brauer

    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States

  • KH

    Kassandra D. Harding

    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States

  • AP

    Ana Pereda

    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States

  • JS

    Jeffrey D. Stanaway

    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States

Objectives: Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies are among the most common micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in young children. We estimated the prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies, as well as the burden of diseases attributed to these deficiencies, among children under five years of age.

Methods: We applied the spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression framework to estimate the mean prevalence from 1990 to 2023 across 204 countries and territories. The disease- specific population attributable fraction was estimated using the prevalence and relative risks (i.e., estimated based on supplementation trials). Then, using disease-specific population attributable fraction and mortality, we calculated the number of deaths attributable to vitamin A and zinc deficiencies.

Results: The global prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies is estimated to be 11% (95% UI: 10–13%) and 25% (95% UI: 21–30%) in 2023, respectively. The highest prevalence of vitamin A (22%; 95% CI: 17–27%) and zinc deficiency (47%; 95% UI: 41–54%) was estimated to be in Sub-Saharan Africa. Global prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies decreased by 61% (95% UI: -71 to -46%) and 30% (95% UI: -0.46 to -0.13), respectively. The total number of deaths attributable to vitamin A deficiency in 2023 was 21,000 (95% CI: -30,000 to 88,000), with 49% of deaths from diarrheal diseases and 51% from measles, with approximately 85% of this burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (18,500; 95% CI: -27,000 to 77,000). The total number of zinc deficiency attributable deaths from diarrheal diseases in 2023 was 5,800 (95% CI: -16,700 to 23,000), with majority of the attributable deaths estimated to be in Sub-Saharan Africa (5,200; 95% CI: -15,700 to 20,400).

Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies, as well as the number of deaths attributable to these deficiencies among children under the age of five, has significantly decreased over the last three decades. However, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies continue to be important contributors to disease burden, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Funding Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation