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Micronutrient malnutrition profile of infants in S outh I ndia
Author(s) -
Amrutha Veena K.,
Kowsalya S.,
Kothandapani S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12101
Subject(s) - medicine , micronutrient , underweight , wasting , micronutrient deficiency , pediatrics , malnutrition , anthropometry , iodised salt , iodine deficiency , subclinical infection , iron deficiency , low birth weight , anemia , obesity , overweight , pregnancy , biology , genetics , thyroid , pathology
Background The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of infants in R amanathapuram district of T amilnadu. Methods The present study comprised a community‐based cross‐sectional study conducted in seven taluks of the R amanathapuram district. A total of 2800 infants (<1 year of age) comprising of 1400 male and 1400 female infants were selected from all the seven taluks of the R amanathapuram district at random. Anthropometric parameters such as weight, crown heel length, head circumference, arm circumference and chest circumference were measured using standardised procedures. Clinical examinations for the manifestation of micronutrient deficiency signs were performed. Biochemical estimations of serum haemoglobin, vitamin A and urinary iodine were estimated for 5% of the infants. Results Low birth weight was obeserved among 33.5% of the infants, with 1.6% weighing <1500 g. Being underweight (35.4%), stunting (29.6%) and wasting (18.9%) were also obeserved among the infants. Different forms of clinical signs and symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies were obeserved among 21.3% and 27.4% of the male and female infants. Subclinical deficiency of haemoglobin, vitamin A and iodine were obeserved among 67.1%, 52.1% and 32.9% of the infants, respectively. Conclusions Micronutrient deficiencies pertaining to the ‘ B ig 3’, namely v itamin A d eficiency, i odine d eficiency d isorders and i ron d eficiency a naemia are still common among the infants of R amanathapuram district, leading to the need for effective intervention measures.