Gut microbiota profile in school-aged children with vitamin A depletion and vitamin E deficiency: A cross-sectional study

Vitamin A (VitA) and vitamin E (VitE) deficiencies can result in significant health consequences in children. The role of the intestinal microbiota in these vitamin deficiencies has been scarcely explored. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relationship of VitA depletion and VitE deficiency with metabolic traits, dietary intake, and the gut microbiota composition in 179 school-age children. Serum VitA depletion and VitE deficiency were present in 8.4% and 20.7% of children, respectively. No significant relationship between tocopherol or retinol intake and VitA depletion or VitE deficiency was found. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction 2 (ANCOM-BC2) analysis revealed no differences in the gut microbiota composition according to VitE status. However, we observed significant enrichment of Veillonella, Haemophilus, and Streptococcus in children with VitA depletion as compared to those with normal VitA levels. The enrichment of these oropharyngeal genera in VitA depletion resembles the gut microbiome composition previously described in childhood stunting. Future functional studies are required to elucidate whether these bacteria play a role in vitamin A metabolism.