The Causes and Consequences of Malnutrition in Children
Time to read 8 min
Time to read 8 min
| MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN | ||||||
| Malnutrition basically means ‘bad nutrition’ and is a condition in which there is a disparity between the amount of food and other nutrients that the body needs for proper growth and health and the amount that it receives or takes in (absorbs). This imbalance is most frequently associated with undernutrition, but it may also be due to over nutrition. | ||||||
| Consequences of malnutrition include: • increased risk of illness and infection • slower wound healing • increased risk of falls • low mood • reduced energy levels • reduced muscle strength • reduced quality of life • reduced independence and ability to carry out daily activities. | ||||||
| Blood test | What it is | Why is it tested ? | What it means | Nutritional intervention | ||
| Albumin | Protein made by the liver. | It is an indicator of malnutrition, although | Albumin and prealbumin are affected more significantly by factors other than nutritional intake. Malnutrition effects hepatic function. | Factors that alter serum albumin and prealbumin may include the following : the acute-phrase response; hydration (intravascular volume) status; disease state; and severe zinc deficiency. | ||
| Amino acid profile | Comprehensive amino acid testing. | Asseses the amount of different amino acids present in the body. | Individual amino acids can be focused upon. | Depending upon amino acid deficiency. If multiple amino acid deficiency is present, include proteins of good quality. | ||
| CBC | Complete blood count | Easy and very common test that screens for certain disorders that can affect your health. | It tests the health of the three basic types of blood cells: • RBC • WBC • Platelets |
Low RBC - Increase iron rich foods and Vitamin C. Check for pernicious anaemia. High WBC indicates infection and inflammation. Get to the cause of infection. Low platelets- increase proteins, Vitamin K, folate, Vitamin B & C. |
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| Creatinine | Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle | Low levels indicate breakdown of muscle and inadequate amounts of protein consumption. | Increase intake of proteins. | |||
| Iron | Mineral | It is involved in transporting oxygen to all cells of the body. | Iron deficiency is very common in India and it leads to anaemia and depleting iron stores in the body. | Iron rich foods along with Vitamin C rich foods. Focus on Heme iron if possible. Check if iron absorption is poor. Malnutrition, high intake of phytates, polyphenols also cause iron deficiency. In children parasitic infections ( hook worm, tape worm) may also cause iron deficiency. Elucidate what kind of anaemia it is and treat accordingly. |
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| Hemoglob in | Protein | Present in the RBC and it transports oxygen to all parts of the body. | Iron deficiency is very common in India and it leads to anaemia and depleting iron stores in the body. | Iron rich foods along with Vitamin C rich foods. Focus on Heme iron if possible. Check if iron absorption is poor. Malnutrition, high intake of phytates, polyphenols also cause iron deficiency. In children parasitic infections ( hook worm, tape worm) may also cause iron deficiency. Elucidate what kind of anaemia it is and treat accordingly. |
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| Ferritin | Protein | Ferritin is a blood cell protein that contains iron | Ferritin levels tells how well your body is storing iron. | |||
| Transferri n | Protein | Main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. A transferrin test directly measures the level in the blood | Transferrin is used to evaluate protein and iron status. Inflammation leads to a decrease in transferrin; iron deficiency causes it to increase. 3 In patients with iron deficiency, transferrin’s use is limited. Like other negative acute-phase reactants, many underlying factors affect serum transferrin levels, putting its sensitivity as an indicator of nutrition depletion and response to depletion in question. |
Transferin takes up iron derived from dietary absorption and from macrophage recycling and delivers it to utilizing cells. • Find the root cause of iron deficiency and treat it accordingly. |
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| RBP | Retinol binding protein | Some medical professionals consider RBP a sensitive indicator of changes in nutritional status.RBP in the blood is decreased in uncomplicated protein-calorie malnutrition. Although a negative acute-phase reactant protein, RBP seems relatively unaffected by inflammation. | • Biomarker of Vitamin A status. • Zinc concentrations have a correlation between not only plasma retinal levels but also liver RBP concentrations. • RBP is transported through chylomicrons- ensure adequate fat levels. • Treatment for subclinical VAD (Vitamin a deficiency) includes the consumption of vitamin A–rich foods, such as liver, beef, chicken, eggs, fortified milk, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and leafy green vegetables. • |
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| Lipid profile | It measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. | Childhood obesity is on the rise and with this comes dyslipidemia. | 1. Reducing cholesterol levels : • Limit total fat and saturated fat • Reduce visceral fat • Increase consumption of soluble fibres • Decrease alcohol consumption • Increase consumption of Omega 3 • Foods rich in plant sterols and stanols which block cholesterol absorption into the cells eg whole grain, beans, nuts etc 2. Reducing Triglycerides • Maintain ideal weight • Avoid trans fats • Increase consumption of mono and polyunsaturated fats • Cut down on smoking • Consume soluble fibre • Reduce consumption of refined food |
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| Leptin | Hormone which is predominately responsible for fat gain. | Increased levels of leptin is associated with obesity. | There is a strong co relation between serum leptin levels and BMI . | • High leptin level is linked to high body-fat mass. Maintain healthy weight. • Foods containing pectin such as apples improve leptin sensitivity. |
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| Vitamin B | Vitamin | Vitamin B is responsible for energy release, brain function and metabolism. | Deficiency causes lethargy, tiredness and delayed growth and brain development. | • Check for gastritis, pernicious anaemia, GI diseases like Chron’s, celiac or lupus. This effects Vitamin B levels severely. • Having a healthy gut with good gut micro biome helps to breakdown Vitamin B from food. • Anti biotics and anti seizure drugs decrease Vitamin B levels |
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| Vitamin D | Vitamin | Vitamin D is an emerging factor influencing female fertility and IVF outcome | Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate in the body, nutrients that are essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities in children such as rickets. Vitamin D also helps to regulating thyroid hormones - which in turn regulate growth and weight management. |
• In most cases Vitamin D supplementation is needed. • Ensure that a source of fat is taken with the Vitamin D supplement. • Vitamin D in large quantities can be toxic. Monitor blood levels frequently. |
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| Folate | Vitamin B9 | Most children ingest less than the daily amounts required to maintain body stores. | Folate deficiency along with Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to sever acute malnutrition . Signs of folate deficiency can include fatigue, lethargy, weakness, shortness of breath etc. |
Folate rich foods are green leafy vegetables, peas, eggs etc | ||
| Zinc | Mineral | • DNA and protein synthesis, and cell division are all related to zinc levels in the body. • Adequate zinc ensures good sense of smell and taste and thus regulates appetite. |
Zinc deficiency is associated with growth retardation (height and weight), delayed sexual and bone maturation, impaired immune function, recurrent infections, dermatitis, diarrhoea, alopecia, anorexia and mental disturbances. The gastrointestinal tract may be one of the first target areas where zinc insufficiency may be manifested. This may lead to diarrhoea and lowered immunity. |
• Zinc deficiency is also associated with decreased sense of taste and smell. Check for other nutritional deficiencies. • Although the cause in some cases may be inadequate dietary intake of zinc, inhibitors of zinc absorption are most likely the most common causative factor. • Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn and rice, has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption from composite meals. • The amount of protein in a meal has a positive effect on zinc absorption, but individual proteins may act differently; e.g., casein has a modest inhibitory effect of zinc absorption compared with other protein sources. • Zinc and iron interact competitively during intestinal absorption. |
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| Vitamin E | Vitamin | Vitamin E can lead to: Muscle weakness: Vitamin E is essential to the central nervous system. It is among the body's main antioxidants, and a deficiency results in oxidative stress. | Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant.Vitamin E is important in maintaining normal neurological structure and function. | • Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and green leafy vegetables are a good sources of Vitamin E. • High doses of vitamin E may increase the body's vitamin K requirement. • Increased intake of omega-6 fatty acids may increase vitamin E requirements. |
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| Vitamin C | Vitamins | While symptoms of severe vitamin C deficiency can take months to develop, there are some subtle signs to watch out for such as rough skin and hair, easy bruising, slow heal thing etc | Vitamin C deficiency is rare and is linked to malnutrition. Scurvy caused by vitamin C deficiency. It can lead to anemia, d e b i l i t y, e x h a u s t i o n , spontaneous bleeding, pain in the limbs, and especially the legs, swelling in some parts of the body, and sometimes ulceration of the gums and loss of teeth. |
• Vitamin C is heat sensitive and is best taken in the raw form. | ||
| Cortisol | Hormone | Hormone which regulates metabolism, immune response, sleep- wake cycle, control sugar level etc | High cortisol levels can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, hypertension, high blood sugar, osteoporosis and fragile skin while low levels may cause weight loss, weakening of muscles, fatigue, low blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhea and loss of consciousness. | To reduce Cortisol levels: • Anti inflammatory diet: whole grains, no processed, nuts , fish, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon • DHEA promoting foods: wild yams, soya, flax seeds, salmon, olive oil • Vitamin B complex • Adaptogens To increase cortisol levels: • Dark chocolate, pro & pre bionics, green tea, banana , pears helps increase cortisol levels. • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, processed food, & refined sugar. |
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| Mercury | Metal | M e r c u r y poisoning symptoms include speech, walking, or hearing impairment; emotional c h a n g e s ; i n s o m n i a ; headaches; and a decline in cognitive function. High mercury levels can disrupt metabolic processes. Mercury exposure can lead to oxidative stress and decrease detoxification. Mercury in any form is poisonous, with mercury toxicity most commonly affecting the neurologic, gastrointestinal (GI) and renal organ systems. |
Hair or blood toxicity test is done. | • Higher seafood consumption is associated with elevated blood mercury concentrations. • Fish eat contaminated vegetation, and the mercury becomes biomagnified in the fish. Fish protein binds more than 90% of the consumed methylmercury so tightly that even the most vigorous cooking methods (eg, deep-frying, boiling, baking, pan-frying) cannot remove it. • Adequate zinc is needed for mercury elimination. |
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| Fluoride | Mineral | Fluoride is the most common toxin in water. | High levels of fluoride exposure may adversely affect neurodevelopment in children. Children may experience gastrointestinal distress upon consumption of flavoured toothpaste. Toxic levels of fluoride have been associated with a weakening of bones and an increase in hip and wrist fractures. |
• Ground water that is abnormally fluoride-rich • Children may be swallowing toothpaste regularly |
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* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).
