Micronutrient Deficiencies Kaoruko Shiki

FAMR 331

What is Micronutrient Deficiencies?

• Micronutrient deficiency (MND) is a lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts by the body for proper growth and development

• The five common micronutrient deficiency includes:– vitamin A– Iodine – Iron– Zinc – Folate

Why are they Important?

• It contribute significantly to high rates of morbidity and mortality among infants, children, and mothers in developing countries

• Deficiencies in vitamin A &D, iron, iodine and zinc exacerbate the disease burden resulting in multiple health implications and higher mortality

Why are they important cont.

• It leads to multiple significant consequences, such as death during childbirth, mental retardation, blindness, lower educational attainment, decreased work capacity and earning potential

• The cycle of MNDs perpetuates across the generations, with far-reaching consequences on the future population

What are the causes of MNDs?

• Poverty is the basic cause of MNDs• Food insecurity• Inadequate care or feeding practices • Unhealthy environment with inadequate

access to health service

Determinants of Undernutrition

The impact of Common Five Deficiencies

• Vitamin A Deficiency:– This is the leading cause of

blindness worldwide and also impairs immune function and cell differentiation

• Nearly 800,000 deaths among women and children worldwide can be attributed to VAD

• 20% of maternal deaths worldwide can be attributed to VAD

The impact of Common Five Deficiencies

• Iron Deficiencies:– the most common

MND worldwide and leads to microcytic anemia, decreased capacity for work, as well as impaired immune and endocrine function

• It contributes to

18.4% of total maternal deaths and 23.5% of perinatal deaths globally

The impact of Common Five Deficiencies Cont.

• Iodine Deficiencies:– It results in goiter, mental retardation, or reduced

cognitive function abortion, and still birth

• 28.5% of people are iodine deficient

The impact of Common Five Deficiencies

• Zinc Deficiencies:– Adequate zinc is necessary for optimal immune

function, and deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, major causes of death in those younger 5 years of age

– The estimated global prevalence of zinc deficiency is 31%

The impact of Common Five Deficiencies

• Folate Deficiency:– Folate is essential for

DNA synthesis and repair, and deficiency results in macrocytic anemia, neural tube defects

– It affects up to 5 babies per 1000 live births worldwide (95% of pregnancy)

Prevalence of MND

Situation in India

• Nearly half of the world’s MND population is found in India

Situation in India cont.

• India has the largest number of vitamin A deficient (VAD) children in the world– Nearly 62% of

preschool-age children are VAD

• About 84% of them are not even meeting 50% of their RDA (recommended dietary allowance)

Situation in Nigeria

• Nigeria is the country with the 3rd highest number of stunted children

• 1/3 of preschool aged children are VAD• Diarrheal diseases kill more than 200,000

Nigerian children under the age of 5 every year

Situation in Nigeria cont.• Current rates of iron

deficiency among preschool aged children and pregnant women are 76% and 67%

• Two in every three pregnant woman are anemic caused from

iron and folate deficiencies

Strategies and Interventions

• Several options– Supplementation– Fortification– Food-based approaches• Dietary diversification

• Choice is determined depends on the cause, severity and scope of MND

• Supplementation is generally for severe case (Ex: India, Nigeria)

Activities to reduce MNDs

• Micronutrient Initiative (MI)– Organization working to eliminate MNDs– Work with national program

Activities to reduce MNDs Cont.

• Healthier Rice Activity • The international Rice

Research Institute have been developing healthier rice varieties with more iron, zinc, and beta carotene (a source of vitamin A) to help

reduce MND • Video Link– https://vimeo.com/

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• Eslick, G., & Selbst, S. (2010). Nutritional Deficiencies in the Developing World: Current Status and Opportunities for Intervention. In pediatric chest pain. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders

• Akhtar, S. (2013). Micronutrient Deficiencies in South Asia—Current status and strategies. In Trends in food science & technology. Kidlington, Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science

• Regan, B., Keith, W., & Robert, B. (2015). Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism (Vol.66, pp. 22-33). Federation of European Nutrition Societies, Karger

• Granato, H. (2014). A World Without Hidden Hunger? Supplyside Boardroom Journal

• Home – Micronutrient Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2015, from http://micronutrient.org

• Nutrition at a Glance. (n.d.). From http://siteresources.worldbank.org/NUTRITION/Resources/281846-1271963823772/nigeria.pdf