Nutrition (Micronutrients) in Child Growth and Development: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence, Recommendations
Mohammad Yawar Yakoob1, Clifford W Lo
1*Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; †Department of Nutrition, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA.
Objective:
An important aspect of malnutrition is deficiency of different micronutrients during pregnancy or early childhood. We systematically reviewed the role of nutrition in child growth (weight or height gain) and development.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was done on PubMed/Cochrane Library browsing through 38,795 abstracts until December 31, 2016 to select systematic reviews/meta-analyses and individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of micronutrient supplementation.
Results:
Micronutrients studied included iron, iodine, folate, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and multiple micronutrients. We summarize evidence with details and results of RCTs, highlight strengths/weaknesses, and critically interpret findings. Effects of breastfeeding-promotion, food-supplementation (complementary and school feeding), conditional-cash-transfers, and integrated nutrition/psychosocial interventions are discussed.
Conclusion:
Based on this evidence we make policy and programmatic recommendations for supplementation to mothers and children at high-risk of deficiency.
Related Concept Videos
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Nature and Nurture
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
