Micronutrients, often referred to as vitamins and minerals, are vital to healthy development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. With the exception of vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet1. Show Though people only need small amounts of micronutrients, consuming the recommended amount is important. Micronutrient deficiencies can have devastating consequences. At least half of children worldwide younger than 5 years of age suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies2. The World Health Organization recommends multiple types of interventions to address nutrition deficienciesexternal icon3. The role of six essential micronutrients is outlined below.
Iron Fact Sheetexternal icon | Hierro Hoja Informativaexternal icon Preventing iron deficiency helps improve children's learning ability and cognitive development.
Vitamin A Fact Sheetexternal icon | Vitamina A Hoja Informativaexternal icon
Vitamin D Fact Sheetexternal icon | Vitamina D Hoja Informativaexternal icon
Iodine Fact Sheetexternal icon | Yodo Hoja Informativaexternal icon Fortifying salt with iodine successfully increases intake of iodine.
Folate Fact Sheetexternal icon | Folato Hoja Informativaexternal icon Folate is especially important before and during pregnancy.
Zinc Fact Sheetexternal icon | Zinc Hoja Informativaexternal icon
Which nutrient deficiency in the pregnant adolescent may result in decreased birth weight as a consequence of low bone mineral density in the fetus?Iron deprivation in the beginning of pregnancy (first and second trimester) can lead to premature birth or low birth weight and jeopardize the health of the newborn [32,34,69]. Gestational anemia is related to a higher maternal mortality rate as well as interferes with the weight and health of the newborn [70].
What is the most common nutrient deficiency in pregnancy?Maternal iron deficiency and consequent anemia comprise a major problem in developing countries, affecting >50% of women during pregnancy (1–3). Other micronutrient deficiencies are likely to be widely prevalent, especially those of iodine, zinc, vitamin A, and the vitamin B-complex (1–3,7).
Which nutrients cause birth defects?In animals, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid deficiencies cause structural malformations; pyridoxine and thiamine deficiencies increase embryonic mortality and decrease fetal growth. Folate deficiency, induced by a folic acid antagonist, causes structural malformations in animals.
What are the nutritional problems during pregnancy?During pregnancy, poor diets lacking in key nutrients – like iodine, iron, folate, calcium and zinc – can cause anaemia, pre-eclampsia, haemorrhage and death in mothers. They can also lead to stillbirth, low birthweight, wasting and developmental delays for children.
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