Suplementação vitamínica e mineral em Portugal durante o primeiro ano de vida: resultados do EPACI Portugal 2012

Introduction: Adequate nutritional status is essential for health, growth and development. Practices regarding vitamin and mineral supplementation in Portuguese infants are unknown. The objectives were to characterise vitamin and mineral supplementation practices and to quantify their association with social, demographic and health- -related factors, in a representative national sample. Methods: From the EPACI Portugal 2012 study protocol, a questionnaire that included, among others, retrospective information reporting supplementation during the first year of life was applied in the presence of the caregivers of 2232 children (aged 12-36 months). Results: A total of 68.3% of Portuguese infants receive vitamin D supplements; 16.6%, 24.0% and 4.5% receive supplements of iron, vitamin C and fluoride, respectively. Living in the North region (except for fluoride) and followed simultaneously by a paediatrician and a general practitioner is associated with a significantly higher frequency of supplementation. Being followed only by a general practitioner increases the risk of non-supplementation with vitamin D and iron in 23% and 45%, respectively. Prematurity is associated with iron and multivitamin supplementation. Children whose mothers have higher education level or are married or live in a de facto union are more often supplemented with vitamin D. Discussion: Only two-thirds of Portuguese infants receive vitamin D supplements, a sixth receive iron supplements and a quarter receive vitamin C supplements. Fluoride supplementation is uncommon, and multi-vitamin supplementation is strongly associated with prematurity. Socioeconomic factors, the usual health care provider and the geographical area of residence seem to be associated, in Portugal, with the prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplementation during the first year of life.