Last updated: 12 Jun 2018
WHAT DO MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN MOTHERS LOOK LIKE?
Source: UNICEF; WHO, WFP, UNICEF
For pregnant women, the lack of micronutrients – essential vitamins and minerals – can be catastrophic, increasing the risk of low birth weight, birth defects, stillbirth, and even death. For a lactating mother, her micronutrient status determines the health and development of her breast-fed infant, especially during the first 6 months of life.
Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, which increases the risk of haemorrhage and bacterial infection during childbirth and is implicated in maternal deaths. In turn, babies may be born prematurely and suffer from infections, learning disabilities, and delayed development. Almost 40 per cent of pregnant women and more than 40 per cent of children under 5 in developing countries are anaemic. About half of these cases are estimated to result from iron deficiency.
Calcium, vitamin D, and folate deficiencies are a particular concern during pregnancy, and can lead to a number of health complications for both the mother and growing baby.
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 – for example during pregnancy – that are difficult to meet with diet alone. One example is iron and folic acid supplements for pregnant women, which can reduce the risk of low birth weight, maternal anaemia and iron deficiency.