Abstract

INFANT NUTRITION AND STRATEGIES TO MANAGE MALNUTRITION

Dr. Manjiri Saraf* and Dr. Dattatraya B. Chavan

Abstract

Adequate nutrition during infancy is essential to ensure proper growth, development and health of children to their full potential. Poor nutrition increases the risk of illness and is directly or indirectly responsible for infant morbidity and mortality. Early nutritional deficits are linked to long term impairment in physical growth, neurological development and health in general. Also, they may have impaired intellectual performance and physical strength. Infancy period of life provides a critical window of opportunity for ensuring proper growth and development of children. Malnutrition during this period may causes stunting. Women who were malnourished during their childhood may have decreased reproductive capacity, they mayhave more complicated deliveries, the infants of such mothers may be born low birth weight.

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