Micronutrient malnutrition

Micronutrient malnutrition refers to the deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals (collectively known as micronutrients) in a diet. Micronutrients are required by organisms throughout life, in small quantities on a daily basis. Micronutrient malnutrition can lead to a variety of health problems, including growth retardation, impaired immune response, and increased susceptibility to infection.

Causes

Micronutrient malnutrition can be caused by a variety of factors, including inadequate dietary intake, disease, and increased micronutrient needs not met during periods of rapid growth or due to disease. The most common micronutrient deficiencies are of iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc, but deficiencies of other vitamins and minerals are also prevalent, especially in developing countries.

Effects

The effects of micronutrient malnutrition can be severe. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and decreased immune function. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and can increase the risk of illness and death from childhood infections, including measles and those causing diarrhea. Iodine deficiency can lead to goiter and mental retardation. Zinc deficiency can result in growth retardation and increased susceptibility to infection.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention and treatment of micronutrient malnutrition can be achieved through a combination of dietary diversification, fortification of foods with micronutrients, supplementation, and public health measures such as deworming. Biofortification, or the process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through plant breeding, is a promising new approach to preventing micronutrient malnutrition.

See Also

• Malnutrition
• Vitamin deficiency
• Mineral deficiency
• Biofortification