Treatment of malnourished children: No rush

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Nutrition is at the core of a child's development. Children who are malnourished will not be able to develop well both physically and intellectually. Malnutrition treatment is a long-term process, should not be rushed, but needs patience to improve the daily nutrition of children.

1. Consequences of malnutrition on children

Child malnutrition is a condition in which children are deficient in nutrients necessary for development, affecting growth, resistance and normal body activities.
Usually, malnourished children will appear thin, underweight, much smaller in stature than other children, and whose height and weight are below the standards for each age. In addition, malnourished children also have some signs such as pale skin, less rosy, thinning hair, reduced subcutaneous fat, slow children. In addition, accompanied by malnutrition, children often have anorexia, digestive disorders, poor absorption of nutrients, and are prone to gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
If malnutrition is not recognized and promptly treated, the child's growth and development will be seriously affected, leading to physical, mental, intellectual as well as functional health problems. other body functions. Specifically:
Malnutrition affects the immune system Lack of nutrients, especially iron, zinc and vitamins, causes malnutrition, making children's immune systems weak, susceptible to infections such as pneumonia, otitis media, urinary tract infections, intestinal infections. Even immunodeficiency due to malnutrition in children causes many other serious health problems, threatening the lives of children.
Affects growth Malnourished children are susceptible to gastrointestinal infections, making the body unable to absorb nutrients. As a result, children lack more nutrients, slowing down their growth.
Causes other health problems Lack of certain important nutrients, especially micronutrients, can lead to serious health problems. For example, iron deficiency will cause children to have iron deficiency anemia, zinc and magnesium deficiency makes children increasingly anorexic. Lack of calcium affects the development of bones and teeth. Protein deficiency causes swelling, slow wound healing and long-term health problems. A diet low in fat reduces the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A and D. This affects the child's visual function.
Affect the functioning of organs in the body Malnutrition makes the functioning of organs in the body disordered. The heart, liver, and kidneys are the most severely affected organs.
Effects on mental health and brain development Children suffering from prolonged malnutrition can affect mental and brain development. Possible conditions such as: mental retardation, reduced IQ, intellectual disability, reduced attention span, poor memory, inability to solve problems, language problems affecting neurological effects, affecting social skills such as communication skills and community integration.

2. Treatment of malnutrition in children

Cure malnutrition in children is a long process, should not be rushed but need patience to improve the daily nutrition for children. It is important to know the causes of malnutrition in order to effectively treat malnutrition. In general, the treatment of malnourished children should be based on the following principles:
2.1. Pay attention to the child's daily diet to have a method of adjustment. The main purpose of paying attention to the daily diet is to provide the necessary nutrients for the child to develop. In addition, this also helps children strengthen the immune system.
For breastfed babies, a breast milk-centered diet should be developed. Babies should be exclusively breastfed for at least the first 6 months of life and up to 2 years of age. Breast milk is the safest and best source of nutrition for the comprehensive development of infants under 24 months of age, because breast milk contains colostrum ingredients that help increase resistance and help children develop healthy. For children who have been weaned after 1 year of age, besides drinking milk, children should eat main meals with ingredients that ensure enough 4 important nutrient groups: protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. . In addition to the main meals, malnourished children should be supplemented with extra meals such as yogurt, cheese, whey, fruit, .... For anorexic children, it is recommended to divide their meals into several meals. for children to easily absorb as well as not to put pressure on children when being forced to eat too much. Arrange a reasonable distribution of eating time. The main and side meals are alternate, about 3-4 hours apart. Dishes need to be varied, often changing dishes to avoid boredom. It is necessary to know the child's eating preferences and present eye-catching and colorful dishes to attract them. Prepare food suitable for each child's age, chewing ability to help children easily digest and absorb nutrients. Limit the purchase of ready-to-eat foods, do not let children eat fast food, candies, soft drinks, etc., especially before meals. As children reach puberty, the body's needs for energy, protein, and calcium increase. Parents need to provide their children with meals rich in energy, rich in nutrients, especially protein, vitamins and minerals. If the change of diet does not improve the child's malnutrition, parents should send the child to a nutritionist at a hospital or center with its own nutrition specialist. 2.2. Ensure adequate supply of essential nutrients 4 groups of essential nutrients will provide the body with nutrients, micro-minerals, energy, support growth and help strengthen the immune system.
Carbohydrates provide energy for the brain and body. Carbohydrates are found in rice, potatoes, corn, whole grains, etc. Without enough carbohydrates, the body will not be able to convert them into fatty acids. This causes the body to use stored protein sources for energy, lose essential proteins and the child's body becomes thin. 1 gram of powdered sugar provides 4kcal of energy. Carbohydrate needs change with age. Protein is an indispensable nutrient in the development of the body. Protein is involved in cell formation, aids in the synthesis and secretion of many hormones and enzymes, helps strengthen the immune system, plays an important role in acid and base balance to regulate pH. Like carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein provides. This energy is used to maintain metabolism and help strengthen the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Protein is rich in foods such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, shrimp, crab, beans. Fat is an abundant source of energy, 1 gram of fat provides the body with about 9 kcal of energy. Therefore, the body only needs a certain amount of fat, if excess can be harmful to the body. Fat promotes cell growth, maintains body temperature, and helps keep skin and hair strong. In addition, fat also helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E, D, and K. Fat can be obtained from animal fat (pork, fish, ..) or vegetable oil (beans). peanuts, olives, sesame). Vitamins and minerals are also known as micronutrients. These micronutrients help maintain the function of organs, facilitate metabolism and remove toxins from the body. In addition, it also helps to keep the digestive system healthy, increase the ability to absorb nutrients and strengthen the child's resistance against diseases. Vitamins and minerals are provided from fruits and vegetables.

2.3. Immunizations Children need to be fully vaccinated and on time to promote a healthy immune system. Adequate and timely vaccination helps the child's body to stimulate the production of specific active immunity, thereby enhancing resistance and preventing dangerous diseases.
In particular, vaccination is important because it not only protects the person who is vaccinated, but also helps prevent the disease from spreading to others, such as family members, neighbors, classmates and friends. other members of the community.
2.4. Exercise Children should exercise regularly every day. Exercise helps metabolism take place and eliminate toxins from the body. Besides, outdoor activities such as swimming, cycling, soccer, basketball are also useful for children to improve their health.
In summary, the treatment of malnutrition in children is a long-term process, should not be rushed, but needs patience to improve the daily nutrition of children. It is important to adjust the appropriate diet, provide a full range of essential nutrients, fully vaccinated, and give the baby appropriate exercise for effective treatment.
Babies also need to add necessary micronutrients such as: Zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamins B1 and B6, ginger, acerola fruit extract (vitamin C), ... to improve taste, eat delicious, achieve The height and weight are right and beyond the standard, the immune system is good, and the resistance is enhanced to reduce minor illnesses as well as less digestive problems. The improvement of symptoms can take place for a long time, so it is recommended that parents be calm and persistent when supplementing with nutrients for their children, either through food or functional foods. In particular, the use of functional foods should choose those of natural origin that are easily absorbed, do not allow simultaneous use of many types or continuously change the types of functional foods.
To have more knowledge about taking care of children by age, you should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, Pediatricians - Nutritionists when you need advice.