SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: Determining the Prevalence of Vitamin a Deficiency

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This study examined vitamin A deficiency among hospitalized adults at Grady Memorial Hospital, a high-risk population where micronutrient problems may be underrecognized. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immunity, and growth, but deficiency is uncommon in the general U.S. population. The investigators conducted a cross-sectional review of adult patients from January 2013 through November 2024 using EPIC/Slicer Dicer data. Deficiency was defined as serum vitamin A levels below 38 mcg/dL.<br /><br />From 2013 to 2024, 705 vitamin A tests were ordered, and 524 (74.3%) were abnormal. A focused pilot analysis of 135 patients tested during 2023 found 107 (79.2%) abnormal results, most of which reflected deficiency. Among these, 59 patients (55%) had moderate deficiency (below 20 mcg/dL), and 22 (20.6%) had severe deficiency (below 10 mcg/dL).<br /><br />Demographic analysis suggested that most tested patients were Black or African American (80.3%), with smaller proportions identifying as White or Caucasian (10.2%). The median age was 55.5 years. BMI data showed a mixed pattern: 36.4% had normal BMI, 25.2% were obese, and 16.8% were underweight. Most patients were alive at the time of review (87%). Repeat testing was uncommon, and only first results were analyzed.<br /><br />The authors concluded that vitamin A deficiency appears highly prevalent among hospitalized patients at this institution, with roughly three in four tests showing low levels. Although these findings may not apply to the broader population, they raise concern about possible undernutrition and health disparities. Further research is needed to identify risk factors, vulnerable subgroups, and the clinical impact of vitamin A deficiency in hospitalized adults.

Asset Subtitle

Pradeep Bathina

Meta Tag

Author List Jasmah Hanna, Mary Ann K. Hall, Milly Tadigiri, Pradeep Bathina, Stacey Watkins, TaCoria Williams

Category Research

Concept Vitamin A

Concept Vitamin A Deficiency

Concept Hospitalized Adults

Concept Cross-Sectional Study

Concept Prevalence

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Emory University School of Medicine

Presenting Author Pradeep Bathina

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

vitamin A deficiency

hospitalized adults

Grady Memorial Hospital

micronutrient deficiency

serum vitamin A

cross-sectional study

undernutrition

health disparities

Black or African American patients

malnutrition

Vitamin A

Vitamin A Deficiency

Hospitalized Adults

Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence