Undernutrition in children: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Undernutrition in children | |||
| image = [[File:Malnutrition_due_to_STH_2.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A child suffering from undernutrition | |||
| field = [[Pediatrics]], [[Nutrition]] | |||
| synonyms = [[Child malnutrition]], [[Pediatric undernutrition]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Stunted growth]], [[Wasting]], [[Underweight]], [[Micronutrient deficiencies]] | |||
| complications = [[Increased susceptibility to infections]], [[Developmental delays]], [[Cognitive impairment]] | |||
| onset = [[Infancy]], [[Early childhood]] | |||
| duration = [[Chronic]] | |||
| causes = [[Inadequate dietary intake]], [[Infectious diseases]], [[Poor maternal nutrition]], [[Socioeconomic factors]] | |||
| risks = [[Poverty]], [[Food insecurity]], [[Lack of access to healthcare]], [[Poor sanitation]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Anthropometric measurements]], [[Clinical assessment]], [[Laboratory tests]] | |||
| differential = [[Failure to thrive]], [[Chronic illness]], [[Genetic disorders]] | |||
| prevention = [[Breastfeeding]], [[Balanced diet]], [[Vaccination]], [[Improved sanitation]] | |||
| treatment = [[Nutritional rehabilitation]], [[Micronutrient supplementation]], [[Therapeutic feeding programs]] | |||
| prognosis = [[Varies depending on severity and intervention]] | |||
| frequency = [[Common in low- and middle-income countries]] | |||
| deaths = [[Contributes to 45% of deaths in children under 5]] | |||
}} | |||
[[File:VOA Heinlein - Somali refugees September 2011 - 09.jpg|left|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
[[File:Measuring for malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh (8816985582).jpg|left|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
[[File:The prevalence of child stunting generally increases as cities become smaller and moving away from urban centres; child wasting and overweight are lower and exhibit less evident trends across the rural-urbann continuum.svg|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
[[File:Kwashiorkor 6180.jpg|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
[[File:Children and open sewer in Kibera.jpg|left|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
[[File:Getting life-saving support to children with malnutrition in Kenya (6219642149).jpg|left|thumb|Undernutrition in children]] | |||
'''Undernutrition in children''' is a critical global health issue that affects millions of children worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It refers to a condition where a child's intake of [[energy]], [[protein]], and [[nutrients]] is insufficient to meet their body's needs for growth, maintenance, and specific activities. This condition can lead to serious health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to diseases. | '''Undernutrition in children''' is a critical global health issue that affects millions of children worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It refers to a condition where a child's intake of [[energy]], [[protein]], and [[nutrients]] is insufficient to meet their body's needs for growth, maintenance, and specific activities. This condition can lead to serious health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to diseases. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
The causes of undernutrition in children are multifaceted and can be broadly categorized into immediate, underlying, and basic causes. Immediate causes include inadequate dietary intake and disease. Underlying causes encompass food insecurity, inadequate care for children and women, unhealthy household environment, and lack of access to health services. Basic causes involve societal issues such as poverty, lack of education, and economic structures that limit access to food and healthcare. | The causes of undernutrition in children are multifaceted and can be broadly categorized into immediate, underlying, and basic causes. Immediate causes include inadequate dietary intake and disease. Underlying causes encompass food insecurity, inadequate care for children and women, unhealthy household environment, and lack of access to health services. Basic causes involve societal issues such as poverty, lack of education, and economic structures that limit access to food and healthcare. | ||
==Consequences== | ==Consequences== | ||
Undernutrition in children can lead to severe and long-lasting effects on health, development, and survival. It is associated with stunted growth, which is a condition characterized by low height for age. Stunting affects cognitive development and can lead to poor school performance and reduced earning potential in adulthood. Undernutrition also increases the risk of mortality from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria due to a weakened immune system. | Undernutrition in children can lead to severe and long-lasting effects on health, development, and survival. It is associated with stunted growth, which is a condition characterized by low height for age. Stunting affects cognitive development and can lead to poor school performance and reduced earning potential in adulthood. Undernutrition also increases the risk of mortality from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria due to a weakened immune system. | ||
==Prevention and Treatment== | ==Prevention and Treatment== | ||
Efforts to prevent and treat undernutrition in children focus on improving food security, dietary diversity, and access to health services. Key interventions include promoting breastfeeding, providing micronutrient supplements, and implementing community-based nutrition programs. Treatment of severe acute malnutrition involves therapeutic feeding programs that use specially formulated foods to provide high levels of energy and nutrients. | Efforts to prevent and treat undernutrition in children focus on improving food security, dietary diversity, and access to health services. Key interventions include promoting breastfeeding, providing micronutrient supplements, and implementing community-based nutrition programs. Treatment of severe acute malnutrition involves therapeutic feeding programs that use specially formulated foods to provide high levels of energy and nutrients. | ||
==Global Initiatives== | ==Global Initiatives== | ||
Several global initiatives aim to address undernutrition in children, including the [[World Health Organization]]'s Global Nutrition Targets 2025 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. These initiatives emphasize the importance of multi-sectoral approaches that address the root causes of undernutrition. | Several global initiatives aim to address undernutrition in children, including the [[World Health Organization]]'s Global Nutrition Targets 2025 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. These initiatives emphasize the importance of multi-sectoral approaches that address the root causes of undernutrition. | ||
[[Category:Child health]] | [[Category:Child health]] | ||
[[Category:Nutritional deficiencies]] | [[Category:Nutritional deficiencies]] | ||
[[Category:Public health]] | [[Category:Public health]] | ||
{{medicine-stub}} | {{medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 04:27, 14 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
.jpg)
.jpg)
Undernutrition in children is a critical global health issue that affects millions of children worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It refers to a condition where a child's intake of energy, protein, and nutrients is insufficient to meet their body's needs for growth, maintenance, and specific activities. This condition can lead to serious health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
Causes[edit]
The causes of undernutrition in children are multifaceted and can be broadly categorized into immediate, underlying, and basic causes. Immediate causes include inadequate dietary intake and disease. Underlying causes encompass food insecurity, inadequate care for children and women, unhealthy household environment, and lack of access to health services. Basic causes involve societal issues such as poverty, lack of education, and economic structures that limit access to food and healthcare.
Consequences[edit]
Undernutrition in children can lead to severe and long-lasting effects on health, development, and survival. It is associated with stunted growth, which is a condition characterized by low height for age. Stunting affects cognitive development and can lead to poor school performance and reduced earning potential in adulthood. Undernutrition also increases the risk of mortality from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria due to a weakened immune system.
Prevention and Treatment[edit]
Efforts to prevent and treat undernutrition in children focus on improving food security, dietary diversity, and access to health services. Key interventions include promoting breastfeeding, providing micronutrient supplements, and implementing community-based nutrition programs. Treatment of severe acute malnutrition involves therapeutic feeding programs that use specially formulated foods to provide high levels of energy and nutrients.
Global Initiatives[edit]
Several global initiatives aim to address undernutrition in children, including the World Health Organization's Global Nutrition Targets 2025 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. These initiatives emphasize the importance of multi-sectoral approaches that address the root causes of undernutrition.
