Is it inadequate diet or unbalanced diet, as an important etiological association of nutritional anaemia in children aged 1 to 5 Years?

Journal Title: Santosh University Journal of Health Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional anaemia in under 5 children is not decreasing despite profound efforts, so question arises is it single nutrient deficiency or wrong dietary pattern which is responsible for some manifested and other masked micronutrient deficiencies? Materials and Method: 300 under-5 children who were apparently normal and came to the OPD of a tertiary level care hospital in urban Ghaziabad for routine vaccination or minor ailments of short duration were enrolled. Haemoglobin, S. Iron., Ferritin, MCV, MCHC, MCH were done in all. If these investigations were suggestive of iron deficiency anaemia than only S.B12 and folate levels were estimated. Anthropometric data (weight, height),and 24 hr. dietary recall was analysed to assess nutritional status and nutritional intake according to recommendations of ICMR both in terms of number of serves as well as amount per serve. Results: Nutritional anaemia was found in 78% children of which 88% were having iron deficiency anaemia while 12% had macrocytic anaemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. None had folate deficiency.73% children in anaemia group were having moderate (67.8%) and severe (5.5%) underweight. Regarding dietary pattern the daily intake was less than recommended for cereals, pulses, GYOR vegetables and fruits in 45%, 87% and 98% children respectively. While daily intake of milk (although quite diluted) and high trans-fats snacks was much higher and intake was frequent than the recommendations. Calorie gap was found in staggering 97.4% children while protein gap was present in only 4.7% children. Conclusion: To combat the nutritional anaemia the approach should be directed towards overall improvement of dietary habits rather than isolated instructions to consume more of iron rich diet.

Authors and Affiliations

Veenu Agarwal, Manoj Garg

Keywords

Related Articles

Traumatic optic neuropathy after head injury

Purpose: To study the clinical profile, prognostic factors and the effect of systemic steroids in the management of traumatic optic neuropathy. Materials and Method: A minimum of forty four patients with closed head inju...

An overview of cytokines; their current status & futuristic scope

The cytokines are biologically active proteinous substances secreted by monocytes, lymphocytes and other cell and are actively involved in innate immunity, acquired immunity and inflammation. The cytokines released by ly...

Changing scenario of obesity and underweight among women in India – Revisited

Introduction: Obesity and underweight are a concern at global level, and its public health impact can be observed both in developed and developing countries. Objective: To evaluate percent change in prevalence of obesity...

Physical physiological and biochemical changes during pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated various physiological changes in order to ensure care support and protection of the developing embryo and also prepare mother for labour and delivery These changes influence all physical physiolog...

Assessment of Serum Lipid Profile among Hypertensive patients in Uttarakhand

Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with oxidative stress and are major causes of cardiovascular disease amounting to 30% of global death rate. Lipoproteins are fundamental to the atherosclerotic pro...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP297183
  • DOI 10.18231/2455-1732.2017.0004
  • Views 84
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Veenu Agarwal, Manoj Garg (2017). Is it inadequate diet or unbalanced diet, as an important etiological association of nutritional anaemia in children aged 1 to 5 Years?. Santosh University Journal of Health Sciences, 3(1), 13-15. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-297183