A recent study has found that 6 in 10 children under five in India have micronutrient deficiencies. In this research, the primary focus was on understanding the frequency of anaemia and its association with micronutrient deficiencies (specifically, lacking iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid) among children aged 12 to 59 months in India.
The study was published in Plos Global Public Health, in which the researchers analysed data from the Comprehensive National Nutritional Survey, the largest nutrition survey in Asia conducted between 2016 and 2018.
Among the 11,237 children studied, they found that 40.5% were anaemic, 30.0% had anaemia along with micronutrient deficiencies, and a significant 60.9% had micronutrient deficiencies, whether or not they had anaemia.
Anaemia Risk Factors
According to Penn Medicine, if you have anaemia, that means your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. One common cause of anemia is a deficiency of essential micronutrients, most commonly iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
Some notable findings of the latest research led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences were that younger age and lower maternal education were linked to higher rates of anaemia. Additionally, insufficient intake of iron-folic acid tablets during pregnancy, recent illnesses in children, and deficiencies in iron and zinc were identified as risk factors for anaemia among these children.
This study joins a long line of research that underscores how children are at a crucial stage of growth and development, and their nutritional needs play a pivotal role in shaping their lifelong health.
Micronutrient Deficiency In Children
Essential micronutrients are the building blocks that contribute to various physiological functions in kids. Here's a breakdown of the importance of key micronutrients for children and the potential consequences of their deficiencies.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for vision, immune function, and skin health. To ensure your diet is rich in vitamin A, include beef, liver, eggs, shrimp, fish, fortified milk, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, and mangoes in your diet. Its deficiency can cause:
- Night blindness
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Compromised skin integrity.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, calcium absorption, and immune system support. Sunlight is the best sources of vitamin D. However, fortified milk and cereals, and fatty fish can help you bridge the gap. A lack of vitamin D in the body may cause:
- Rickets
- Delayed growth
- Increased risk of infections
Iron
Iron is critical for haemoglobin production and oxygen transport in the blood. Iron can be found in liver, red meat, beans, such as red kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas, nuts, dried fruit, and soy bean flour. Its deficiency can cause:
- Anaemia
- Fatigue
- Impaired cognitive development
- Decreased immune function
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system, aiding collagen production, and enhancing iron absorption. Its most common sources are tomatoes, citrus fruit, sweet peppers, broccoli, and kiwi fruit. A deficiency of vitamin C may cause:
- Scurvy
- Impaired wound healing
- Increased vulnerability to infections
Zinc
The most common sources of zinc are oysters, beef shank, Alaskan king crab, and turkey (dark meat). Zinc facilitates growth, immune function, and wound healing. Low zinc levels cause:
- Stunted growth
- Delayed sexual maturation
- Compromised immune response
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Vitamin B9 or folate can be found in fortified grains and cereals, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, legumes (black-eyed peas and chickpeas), and orange juice. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division, and its deficiency can cause:
- Impaired cognitive development
- Increased risk of neural tube defects in newborns
- Anaemia
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in forming red blood cells and DNA. It is abundantly found in food sources like meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, fortified soymilk and cereals. A Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause:
Anaemia—a type of megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor so that vitamin B12 is not absorbed
- Nerve damage
- Memory loss
- Dementia
- Depression
- Seizures
The early years of a child's life are crucial for laying the foundation of lifelong health. The recent study emphasised the need to strengthen efforts in addressing micronutrient deficiencies to effectively combat anaemia, and a host of other diseases among children under five in India. Ensure that your kids recieve a well-balanced diet and are encouraged towards healthy eating habits from an early age, fostering a positive relationship with nutritious foods.