How to prevent micronutrient deficiency in infants? (Query)

Here are few expert tips on how you can tackle micro deficiency in infants!

I am a 30-year-old woman and gave birth to a baby boy. I was reading online about micronutrient deficiency in infants. What are the most common micronutrient deficiencies in infants? What is food fortification and how it helps in reducing micronutrient deficiency in infants? What is a well balanced diet for infants to keep micronutrient deficiency at bay? Please help.

The query is answered by Dr Manjari Chandra, Consultant Nutrition, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi.

Micronutrients play a key role in a child s nutrition. The common micronutrient deficiencies in infants is vitamin D, vitamin K, iron, vitamin A and zinc. Food fortification is widely used food based intervention for controlling the menace of micronutrient deficiency. Infants can receive their recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals via fortified food, which is prepared by deliberately adding the content of essential micronutrients in infant food to improve the nutritional value of the product. Generally, foods that are widely consumed by targeted population are fortified such as complementary foods for infants and young children including infant cereal, foods developed for feeding programmes etc. Here are 5 common queries on micronutrients for infants answered by an expert.

How to prevent micronutrient deficiency in infants?

The primary cause of undernutrition during infancy is deficiency of suitable nutrient-dense complimentary foods during the weaning period. In order to ensure that infants receive all essential nutrients in their diet, it is recommended to introduce variety of foods that are

culturally acceptable and fortified food with the nutrients that are commonly missing in traditional diets. Here is a nutrition guide for toddlers (with a sample meal plan). The aim of food fortification is to increase the level of consumption of added nutrients to improve the nutritional status of the target population, which, in this case, is the infant population. Also, if possible, one can continue with breastfeeding for up to 2 years along with complimentary feeding to ensure complete nutrition for child. Also read about top nutritional deficiencies in India.

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