[The hygienic basis and efficacy of rational nutrition for children with retarded growth]

The authors followed up for a year a group of 35 boys aged 11 with growth retardation without pronounced endocrine or other chronic pathology. The energy losses of these children were found to constitute 2400 kcal on an average, which is 460 kcal lower than the All-Union standard. Actual nutrition of the children examined was marked by insufficient caloricity, deficiency of basic food substances, vitamins, macroelements and trace elements. The diets, which were balanced as regards energy value and food substances, in conjunction with other hygienic measures promoted the normalization of the children's growth, improvement of the well-being, and the health status.