Ketan Bharadva1, Sudhir Mishra2, Satish Tiwari3, Balraj Yadav4, Urmila Deshmukh5, K E Elizabeth6, C R Banapurmath7. 1. Department of Pediatrics Masoom Children's Hospital, Surat, Gujarat. India. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Rajasthan, India. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Dr PDM Medical College Amravati, Maharashtra, India. Correspondence to: Dr Satish Tiwari, Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, Dr PDM Medical College, Amravati Yashodanagar No. 2, Maharashtra 444 606, India. drsatishtiwari@gmail.com. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Smt Santra Devi Health and Educational Trust Gurgram, India. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Biotrak Research Foundation Akola, Maharashtra, India. 6. Department of Pediatrics, Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India. 7. Department of Pediatrics, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
Abstract
JUSTIFICATION: Micronutrient deficiencies have significant impact on the overall health and well-being of society and potential targets for supplementations. It is important to formulate a consensus statement in view of current evidence, and put in place strategies to meet targets. OBJECTIVE: To formulate by endorsement or adoption and disseminate a consensus statement for prevention of micronutrients deficiencies in young children for office practices from an Indian perspective. PROCESS: A National Consultative Meeting was convened by Infant and Young Child Feeding Chapter (IYCF) of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on 17 December, 2016 at Mumbai. IYCF chapter, IAP, United Nations Children Fund, National Institute of Nutrition and Government of India were the participating agencies; and participants representing different parts of India were included. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread. For its prevention proper maternal and infant-young child feeding strategies need to be practiced. Encourage delayed cord clamping, dietary diversification, germinated foods, soaking and fermentation processes. Existing Iron, Vitamin A, Zinc supplementation and universal salt iodization programs need to be scaled up, especially in high risk groups. Universal vitamin D supplementation need to be in place; though, the dose needs more research. Vitamin B12 deficiency screening and supplementation should be practiced only in high-risk groups. Availability of appropriately fortified foods needs to be addressed urgently.
JUSTIFICATION: Micronutrient deficiencies have significant impact on the overall health and well-being of society and potential targets for supplementations. It is important to formulate a consensus statement in view of current evidence, and put in place strategies to meet targets. OBJECTIVE: To formulate by endorsement or adoption and disseminate a consensus statement for prevention of micronutrients deficiencies in young children for office practices from an Indian perspective. PROCESS: A National Consultative Meeting was convened by Infant and Young Child Feeding Chapter (IYCF) of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on 17 December, 2016 at Mumbai. IYCF chapter, IAP, United Nations Children Fund, National Institute of Nutrition and Government of India were the participating agencies; and participants representing different parts of India were included. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread. For its prevention proper maternal and infant-young child feeding strategies need to be practiced. Encourage delayed cord clamping, dietary diversification, germinated foods, soaking and fermentation processes. Existing Iron, Vitamin A, Zinc supplementation and universal salt iodization programs need to be scaled up, especially in high risk groups. Universal vitamin D supplementation need to be in place; though, the dose needs more research. Vitamin B12 deficiency screening and supplementation should be practiced only in high-risk groups. Availability of appropriately fortified foods needs to be addressed urgently.