Impact of morbidity among under-five children: A meta-analysis

The burden of morbidity and mortality among infants is the highest in developing countries. The future economic growth of a country depends upon the well-being of the infants of today; hence, infants need the utmost attention of society through organized medical care and social activities. Feeding infants and young children properly are essential for their growth, development, nutritional status, health, and survival. Improper feeding practices may lead to irreversible outcomes like malnutrition, infectious diseases, attention deficit, memory failure, lower IQ, and lifelong poor cognitive and behavioral development. This review was taken to assess the cause, prevalence, and impact of various morbidities during infancies. The literature search covered both conceptual and specific literature. The specific literature search was on the assessment of morbidities among infants. Morbidities were further classified into diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARIs), and fever. Factors affecting each morbidity during the first year of life were classified as International and Indian studies. The studies were further categorized based on methodology as cross-sectional, prospective studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. We conclude that the incidence of morbidities specifically ARIs, diarrhea, and fever have a debilitating effect on the growth and development of infants. Further research is required to assess the impact of morbidity on growth and development in children.

Malnutrition: A Daunting Problem for India’s Spectacular Growth.

In the global campaign of health for all, promotion of proper nutrition was one of the eight elements of primary healthcare. Mother’s literacy has a much higher impact than father’s literacy on better nutritional status of children. Lower socioeconomic condition, higher birth order, lower birth interval and faulty feeding habits have adverse effects on nutritional status of children. Faulty feeding practices are commonly observed and diets of most children are not adequate for calories and proteins as per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. Hence, there is a urgent need for the government to strengthen the policies and invest more funds to combat malnutrition among under-five children.

Nutritional status of under-fives in rural area of South India.

Background: Malnutrition is widely recognized as a major health problem in developing countries. It is wide spread in rural, tribal and urban slum areas. Growing children are most vulnerable to its consequences. Anthropometry is a simple field technique for evaluating physical growth and nutritional status of the children. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of under-fives'. Materials and Methods:This cross sectional study was conducted in Kakati-A sub-centre, under Primary Health Centre Vantamuri of Belgaum district. The sample size was 290. Data collection was done using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical Analysis:Distribution of variables was assessed and comparison was done using chi square test and P value. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed to be 26.55%, 31.38% and 7.59%, while severe degree of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed in 5.86%, 27.24% and 6.51% respectively according to World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 classification. According to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) classification the prevalence of Grade I malnutrition was 121 (47.10%), Grade II was 29 (10.00%) and Grade III and IV were 4 (1.40%). Conclusion: Majority of the children's diet was not adequate for calories and proteins as per Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. Less than half of children were underweight, nearly one third were stunted and one fifth of children were wasted. No child was found to be overweight or obese.