Utilization of serum vitamin A testing and vitamin A deficiency in Korea.
5 affiliations
- 1Laboratory Medicine Center, GC Labs, Yongin, 16924, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea. [email protected].
- 2Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea. [email protected].
- 3Endocrine Substance Analysis Center (ESAC), GC Labs, Yongin, Gyeonggi, 16924, Republic of Korea. [email protected].
- 4Laboratory Medicine Center, GC Labs, Yongin, 16924, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.
- 5Endocrine Substance Analysis Center (ESAC), GC Labs, Yongin, Gyeonggi, 16924, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Background
Vitamin A deficiency remains a clinically relevant nutritional issue, yet data on real-world testing patterns and vitamin A status in Korea are limited.Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing serum vitamin A (retinol) test results performed for diagnostic purposes at a large referral laboratory in Korea between 2016 and 2024. Vitamin A deficiency (< 0.70 µmol/L) and testing patterns were evaluated by age, sex, calendar year, and referring institution type, and factors associated with deficiency were examined using multivariable logistic regression; population-level prevalence was additionally assessed using weighted data from KNHANES 2016-2018.Results
A total of 15,042 serum vitamin A measurements from 9,608 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 7.6%. In the GC Labs population, vitamin A deficiency showed a U-shaped age distribution, with higher prevalence in younger age groups and in older adults, particularly those aged ≥ 80 years, who had the highest risk (adjusted odds ratio 9.52). Male sex and testing at public health centers were also independently associated with deficiency. In the KNHANES 2016-2018 population, the weighted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was low (0.76%); however, a similar U-shaped age distribution was observed, with relatively higher prevalence in adolescents and older adults.Conclusions
Although vitamin A deficiency does not represent a major public health burden in Korea, older adults and specific high-risk groups may be vulnerable. These findings provide a real-world overview of vitamin A testing practices and support targeted clinical and nutritional assessment in selected populations.
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BibTeX
@article{choi2026utilization,
title = {{Utilization of serum vitamin A testing and vitamin A deficiency in Korea.}},
author = {Rihwa Choi and Sung-Eun Cho and Sang Gon Lee},
journal = {BMC nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s40795-026-01435-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902428},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Utilization of serum vitamin A testing and vitamin A deficiency in Korea.
AU - Rihwa Choi
AU - Sung-Eun Cho
AU - Sang Gon Lee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC nutrition
DO - 10.1186/s40795-026-01435-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902428
AB - Background Vitamin A deficiency remains a clinically relevant nutritional issue, yet data on real-world testing patterns and vitamin A status in Korea are limited.Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing serum vitamin A (retinol) test results performed for diagnostic purposes at a large referral laboratory in Korea between 2016 and 2024. Vitamin A deficiency (< 0.70 µmol/L) and testing patterns were evaluated by age, sex, calendar year, and referring institution type, and factors associated with deficiency were examined using multivariable logistic regression; population-level prevalence was additionally assessed using weighted data from KNHANES 2016-2018.Results A total of 15,042 serum vitamin A measurements from 9,608 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 7.6%. In the GC Labs population, vitamin A deficiency showed a U-shaped age distribution, with higher prevalence in younger age groups and in older adults, particularly those aged ≥ 80 years, who had the highest risk (adjusted odds ratio 9.52). Male sex and testing at public health centers were also independently associated with deficiency. In the KNHANES 2016-2018 population, the weighted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was low (0.76%); however, a similar U-shaped age distribution was observed, with relatively higher prevalence in adolescents and older adults.Conclusions Although vitamin A deficiency does not represent a major public health burden in Korea, older adults and specific high-risk groups may be vulnerable. These findings provide a real-world overview of vitamin A testing practices and support targeted clinical and nutritional assessment in selected populations.
SN - 2055-0928
ER -