IMPACT OF DIETl\RY INTAKE . OF NITRATES AND NITRITES ON CHILD HEALTH

Abstract

This work is intended to provide; on field study basis, a clear picture of health hazards associated with dietary intake of nitrates and nitrites on child health, enrolled in basic education, through; assessment of blood level of methemoglobin, assessment of nitrate content in urine, and assessment of level of nitrates & nitrites in some foods, some vegetables as well as in drinking water.

The main findings of the study were:

( 1 ) About 37 % of children in urban areas and 61.2 % in rural areas were suffering from abnormal methemoglobin content ( > 1 %), and the difference is statistically significant (P< 0.05). ( 2 ) 10.8 %and 11.8 %of children at age group (Five years or more) and (12-16 years); respectively were suffering from anemia, with statistically insignificant difference ( p > 0.05). • ( 3) About 46% of children at the age group (5- < 12) have abnormal methemoglobin content, while about 54 % have acceptable methemoglobin content. Meanwhile, 49 % of children at the age group (12 - 16), have acceptable content and 51 %showed abnormal content, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). ( 4 ) There is no sex preference as regard abnormal Methemoglobin percent (> 1 %), where 47.4 % of female as well as 48 % of male children have given high methemoglobin percent, the difference is statistically insignificant ( P > 0.05) . ( 5 ) About 53 % of the anemic group of children had abnormal methemoglobin content, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). While, among the normal group of the studied children (non-anemic), about 47 % had abnormal methemoglobin content, with statistically insignificant difference (P > 0.05).