Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
Published on: February 5, 2019
Infant feeding indicators for use in emergencies: an analysis of current recommendations and practice
Andrew Seal1, Marie McGrath, Andrew Seal
1Save the Children (UK), London, UK.
Insights
Standardizing infant nutrition and health indicators is crucial for effective emergency response. Inconsistent indicators prevent accurate monitoring of infant health during crises.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- International Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Infant nutrition and health monitoring is critical during emergencies.
- Existing indicators lack standardization, hindering effective assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the applicability and consistency of infant nutrition and health indicators in emergency settings.
- To identify challenges in using these indicators during humanitarian crises.
Main Methods:
- Compiled and analyzed indicators from international organizations for infant feeding practices.
- Reviewed health and nutrition surveys from Kosovo (1996-1999) focusing on infant feeding and morbidity indicators.
Main Results:
- International organizations have varying indicators for infant feeding practices, with inconsistencies in target populations and measurement methods.
- Indicator use during the Kosovo crisis was inconsistent, impeding evaluation of the international response's effectiveness.
- Lack of standardized indicators prevents accurate population-level monitoring of infant health and nutrition in emergencies.
Conclusions:
- There is a need to establish and promote standardized indicators for surveying emergency-affected populations.
- Failure to standardize indicators will perpetuate the inability to monitor infant health and nutrition during international relief operations.
Objective:
To assess the applicability and use of infant nutrition and health indicators during emergencies.
Design:
Indicators recommended by international health and nutrition organisations for assessing infant feeding practice were compiled and analysed to evaluate their consistency and applicability for use in surveys of emergency-affected populations. These indicators included measures of breast-feeding status, use of artificial feeding, anthropometric status and morbidity. Health and nutrition surveys performed on the resident or refugee population of Kosovo during the years 1996-1999 were then reviewed and the use of infant feeding and morbidity indicators were compared.
Results:
A number of recommended indicators exist for assessing infant and child feeding practice which have been generated by different international organisations. A comparison of these indicators revealed a number of inconsistencies, both in target population and measurement method. Their use during the Kosovo crisis was likewise inconsistent and prevented conclusions being drawn about the effectiveness of the international response in protecting infant health and nutrition.
Conclusions:
Standard indicators need to be agreed and promoted for use during surveys of emergency-affected populations. Failure to do so will lead to a continued inability to monitor the health and nutrition of infants at a population level during international relief operations.
More Related Videos
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
11:27A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:19Guidelines For Measuring Vital Signs
Before taking a patient's vital signs, a nurse would consider and assess the patient's comfort level and ensure appropriate equipment is available.
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...