Micronutrient Deficiencies: Impact on Therapeutic Outcomes

Stemming from an interplay of socioeconomic disparity, poverty, chronic food insecurity, poor feeding practices, and illness, more than two billion individuals worldwide are chronically malnourished and suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition is directly or indirectly responsible for 45 % of global deaths among children under 5 years of age. In early childhood, chronic malnutrition resulting in micronutrient deficiencies may significantly impact motor and cognitive development. Micronutrient deficiencies which have a notably increased prevalence in children of developing countries are vitamin A, zinc, and iron. The authors provide an overview of the role of these essential nutrients in health and illness and discuss various strategies which have been studied and implemented in order to improve the nutritional status of children in the developing world.