Consequences of malnutrition in children

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1. Causes and manifestations of malnutrition

Malnutrition is one of the common health problems in young children. This condition occurs when the diet does not contain enough nutrients or when the body has problems absorbing nutrients from food. Besides, a number of other reasons may occur such as:
In daily life, children are not fully breastfed or eat solid foods too early or too late. Food should not be eaten with a variety of different foods or not suitable for the child's taste. Children often have infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, helminths, etc. .. and must be treated with drugs that kill pathogenic bacteria. This will affect the child's immune system because at the same time it will kill beneficial bacteria in the intestines, leading to a decrease in food fermentation, resulting in malabsorption and anorexia. eat. Children face a number of psychological problems when the family does not know how to take care of the child, such as excessively forcing the child to eat, making the child prone to panic and fear when eating. This long-term condition will cause anorexia leading to malnutrition. Manifestations of malnutrition in children can be due to different reasons such as for 3 consecutive months, the weight has not grown compared to the expected level. Children often have changes in behavior, such as less fun and less flexible, often crying, slower body than their peers. The muscles in the limbs are flabby and the belly is getting bigger. In particular, if the child is malnourished, the most obvious sign is that the child has a delay in motor development such as delay in rolling, crawling, sitting and standing. Currently, a very common phenomenon is the prolonged anorexia of children. If the child's weight does not increase within 3 consecutive months or has the above symptoms, the mother needs to take the child to a nutritionist.

2. Consequences of malnutrition in children

The harmful effects of malnutrition not only affect the physical health but also affect the mental health, learning and communication ability of children. Malnourished children are very susceptible to intestinal and respiratory infections, because the consequences of malnutrition are nutritional deficiencies and weakened immune systems.
Malnutrition causes all organs to decrease in development, especially the musculoskeletal system, directly affecting the height, weight and stature of children. In addition, the consequences of malnutrition in children include reduced brain development, children are often slower for their age, reduced ability to absorb and learn, and poor social communication in adulthood as well as decreased ability to work.

3. Preventing child malnutrition

Measures to prevent child malnutrition include:
Breastfeeding immediately after birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and for 18-24 months. If the mother does not have enough milk to provide for the baby, she needs to have a suitable source of formula milk to replace. Have a reasonable diet to help children gain healthy weight: Weaning foods for children when they are 6 months old and the weaning menu should be full of 4 main food groups such as starch, sugar, fatty protein, vitamins and minerals. . Pay attention to choosing fresh foods, ensure food hygiene and safety and limit processed foods, cook food thoroughly to prevent children from intestinal diseases such as diarrhea, worms, flukes. Monitor height and weight based on monthly growth chart to detect the condition early and prevent the risk of malnutrition in children. Do not abuse antibiotics when treating diseases in young children. Parents only give their children the full dose and time of antibiotics as directed by the doctor. Proper nutrition care during the time of illness and then to restore nutrition to the child. Fully vaccinated and dewormed periodically. In summary, undernutrition is a deficiency of essential nutrients and affects the development of children. The consequences of childhood malnutrition are often serious to the child's health. Some harmful effects of malnutrition disease such as impaired immune system, reduced brain development, reduced learning, poor receptivity and social communication, etc. Therefore, parents need a care regimen. reasonable children right from the womb and monitor the weight and height of the child with a growth chart. If there is an abnormality or the child has prolonged anorexia, it is necessary to take the child to a medical center for evaluation and appropriate nutrition advice.
In addition, parents also need to pay attention to supplement the necessary micronutrients such as: Selenium, Chromium, Vitamins B1 and B6, Ginger, acerola fruit extract (vitamin C),... Especially biological zinc. to improve the taste, help children eat well, reach the correct height and weight, and exceed the standard, have a good immune system, strengthen resistance to less sickness and less digestive problems.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.