Last updated: 12 Jun 2018
WHAT DO MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN CHILDREN LOOK LIKE?
Source: UNICEF
Micronutrient deficiencies are often referred to as ‘hidden hunger’ because they develop gradually over time. Their devastating impact are not seen until irreversible damage has been done. While a child may go to sleep each night with a full belly but his or her body is still hungry for good and the right nutrition. This leads to micronutrient deficiencies in the body of the child. Millions of children suffer from stunted growth, cognitive delays, weakened immunity and disease as a result of micronutrient deficiencies.
One of the examples of micronutrient deficiencies is iodine deficiency which the primary cause of preventable brain damage in children. Its most devastating impacts occur during foetal development and in the first few years of a child’s life. Globally, 30 percent of the world’s population live in areas with iodine deficiency.
Another example would be Vitamin A deficiency which affects about one third of children living in low and middle income settings, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Vitamin A deficiency weakens the immune system and increases a child’s risk of contracting and dying from infections like measles, and diarrhoeal illnesses.
Zinc deficiency impairs immune function and is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections. It is also a contributing factor in child deaths due to diarrhoea. Zinc deficiency is especially common in lower income countries due to the low dietary intake of zinc-rich foods and inadequate absorption.
WHAT ARE MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION PROGRAMMES?
Source: UNICEF
Supplementation programmes provide specific micronutrients that are not available as part of the regular diet. Supplementation is especially important at times when the body has particularly high micronutrient needs. An example would be the first 1000 days of a child's life when crucial physical and neurological development take place.