(P01-021-24) Carotenoid and Vitamin A Intake in Infants and Toddlers (0-24mo) – Sources, Contribution of Pro-Vitamin A Carotenoids, Demographic Patterns (NHANES)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define the patterns of carotenoid intake from foods in children 0-24 months old and determine if intake differs by sociodemographic factors.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 1682 infants and toddlers aged 0 to 24 months from the 2015-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate logistic regression and gamma GLM models analyzed the outcomes of interest (vitamin A equivalents from carotenoids [VAC], provitamin A carotenoids [PVA], and total carotenoid intake [TCI]).

Results: Age was a significant, positive predictor of VAC, PVA, and TCI intake. The poverty ratio was also significantly correlated with mean VAC intake, with children below the poverty ratio consuming significantly less vitamin A from carotenoids than children not in poverty. The 0–6-mo group consumed a mean 83.4 mcg/d VAC (SD = 200.4), 6–12-mo group consumed 178.7 mcg/d (SD = 230.6), and 12–24-mo group consumed 105.4 mcg/d (std = 175.9). Acknowledging the vitamin A recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for each age group, VAC provided 21% (83.4/400) of the RDA for the 0–6-month group, 36% (178.7/500) for the 6–12-mo group, and 35% (105.4/300) for the 12–24-mo group.

Comparing the age groups, the 6–12-mo group displayed the highest mean dietary intake of alpha-carotene (474.6 ± 731.5 mcg) and beta carotene (1892.5 ± 2489.4 mcg), while the 12–24-mo group had the highest mean dietary intake of beta-cryptoxanthin (2362.2 <± 3433.8 mcg), lycopene (63.5 ± 116.9 mcg), and lutein + zeaxanthin (660.7 ± 732.4 mcg). Overall, the 12–24-mo group had the highest mean TCI (4444.9 ± 4620.3 mcg), while the 0–6-mo group had the lowest mean TCI (1333.8 ± 3020.7 mcg).

Conclusions: This study found that, on average, 0–24-mo may meet up to 20-36% of their vitamin A requirement with pro-vitamin A carotenoids. Future research investigating the major food sources contributing to vitamin A intake is warranted to support optimal growth and development of infants and toddlers.

Funding Sources: N/A