Child nutrition, birth spacing, and child mortality.

Over half of all deaths in young children are caused by acute respiratory infections and diarrhea. Interventions have been targeted to treatment of illness, not prevention. Mortality levels have declined in response, but morbidity levels remain high. Declines in mortality have stagnated in many areas. High rates of child malnutrition are a major reason for continued morbidity and mortality from such illnesses. Case fatalities and severity of illness due to diarrhea and pneumonia are greatest in malnourished children. Improvement in feeding of young children is associated with lower incidence or severity of these and other illnesses. Efforts to improve young child feeding need to be integrated into child survival activities. Increasing durations of exclusive breastfeeding (to six months) and improving complementary feeding will promote child growth and reduce infection and mortality. These interventions are likely to enhance child spacing.