Neurodevelopment, nutrition and genetics. A contemporary retrospective on neurocognitive health on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.

In celebration of the centenary of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, India (1918-2018), a symposium highlighted the progress in nutrition knowledge made over the century, as well as major gaps in implementation of that knowledge. Brain famine caused by a shortage of nutrients required for perinatal brain development has unfortunately become a global reality, even as protein-calorie famine was largely averted by the development of high yield crops. While malnutrition remains widespread, the neglect of global food policies that support brain development and maintenance are most alarming. Brain disorders now top the list of the global burden of disease, even with obesity rising throughout the world. Neurocognitive health, remarkably, is seldom listed among the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and is therefore seldom considered as a component of food policy. Most notably, the health of mothers before conception and through pregnancy as mediated by proper nutrition has been neglected by the current focus on early death in non-neurocognitive NCDs, thereby compromising intellectual development of the ensuing generations. Foods with balanced essential fatty acids and ample absorbable micronutrients are plentiful for populations with access to shore-based foods, but deficient only a few kilometres away from the sea. Sustained access to brain supportive foods is a priority for India and throughout the world to enable each child to develop to their intellectual potential, and support a prosperous, just, and peaceful world. Nutrition education and food policy should place the nutritional requirements for the brain on top of the list of priorities.

Micronutrient malnutrition profile of infants in South India.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of infants in Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu. METHODS: The present study comprised a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in seven taluks of the Ramanathapuram district. A total of 2800 infants (<1 year of age) comprising of 1400 male and 1400 female infants were selected from all the seven taluks of the Ramanathapuram district at random. Anthropometric parameters such as weight, crown heel length, head circumference, arm circumference and chest circumference were measured using standardised procedures. Clinical examinations for the manifestation of micronutrient deficiency signs were performed. Biochemical estimations of serum haemoglobin, vitamin A and urinary iodine were estimated for 5% of the infants. RESULTS: Low birth weight was obeserved among 33.5% of the infants, with 1.6% weighing <1500 g. Being underweight (35.4%), stunting (29.6%) and wasting (18.9%) were also obeserved among the infants. Different forms of clinical signs and symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies were obeserved among 21.3% and 27.4% of the male and female infants. Subclinical deficiency of haemoglobin, vitamin A and iodine were obeserved among 67.1%, 52.1% and 32.9% of the infants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient deficiencies pertaining to the 'Big 3', namely vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders and iron deficiency anaemia are still common among the infants of Ramanathapuram district, leading to the need for effective intervention measures.