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

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. Dietary intake was determined using both food frequency questionnaire and weighed food intake techniques.