Micronutrients

Question 1

Vitamins

Answer 1

Four fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
Nine water soluble vitamins, which comprise vitamin C and the eight B vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, folate (B9) and vitamin B12

Question 2

Micronutrient deficiency

Answer 2

Iron deficiency - anaemia

Low vitamin D in adults and older children - rickets and osteomalacia

Question 3

Micronutrient deficiencies associated with illness

Answer 3

ALD – thiamine (B1), vitamin D
Inflammatory bowel disease – iron, B12, vit D, K, folic acid, selenium, zinc, vit B6 and vitamin B1
Obesity - vitamin D, copper, zinc

Question 4

Vitamin D risk factors

Answer 4

Pigmented skin (non-white ethnicity)
Lack of sunlight exposure
Skin concealing garments or strict sunscreen use
Multiple, short interval pregnancies
Elderly or housebound
Vegan / vegetarian or high phytate consumption such as in chapatis
Malabsorption (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, pancreatic insufficiency)
Use of anti-convulsants, rifampicin, cholestyramine, anti-retrovirals

Question 5

Iron functions

Answer 5

Immune system
Neurotransmitters
Synthesis of proteins
Oxygen binding site on haemoglobin
Component of cytochrome proteins