Malnutrition in pregnant mothers and children

By Dr. Deepika Attygalle, MSc, MD

Malnutrition has begun to show a vicious cyclic pattern in new born babies. Evidence has shown that during the time period from pregnancy up to two years of age of the new born baby as the most beneficial for nutritional interventions.

Therefore the focus should be on the following:

• reduction of low birth weight, through good nutrition of the mother during pregnancy
• monitoring the weight gain during pregnancy, and promote adequate pregnancy weight gain, by increased intake of food rich in energy, proteins and micronutrients
• ensure optimal growth within the first two years of the baby’s life
• A close follow up of babies born with low birth weight

Keeping the above in mind a high coverage is achieved with a defined package of integrated nutrition interventions during pregnancy and for lactating mothers especially during the first six months after child birth. When the baby is six months old, it is advisable to introduce complementary feeding with correct quantity and quality of foods. The foods should have rich quality proteins with all the essential amino acids needed for the baby’s growth.

To improve access to quality food, people should be encouraged to have a home garden integrated with livestock and poultry.

Eggs are still a cheap source of protein which can be easily produced in a home industry. Poverty alleviation programmes should focus on these aspects.

In the complementary foods offered to babies after the first six months, animal protein sources such as sprats, fish, chicken, liver, meat should be included as they are a rich source of protein and iron. Egg yolk and milk based foods such as yoghurt should be introduced to the diet gradually after six months of age.

Eggs provide good quality nutrients

Healthy pregnancy: Egg yolks are an excellent source of choline, an essential nutrient that contributes to fetal brain development and helps prevent birth defects. Two eggs provide about 250 milligrams of choline, or roughly half of the recommended daily intake for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Brain function: Choline also aids the brain function of adults by maintaining the structure of brain cell membranes, and is a key component of the neuro-transmitter that helps relay messages from the brain through nerves to the muscles.

Eye health: Lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants found in egg yolks, help prevent macular degeneration, a leading cause of age-related blindness.

Though eggs contain a small amount of these two nutrients, research shows that the lutein from eggs may be more bio-available than lutein from other food sources.

The protein in eggs is the highest-quality protein found in any food. The high-quality protein in eggs provides the energy needed for a healthy life.

(The writer is a Community Medicine Consultant / Community Physician.)