Neonatal Undernutrition: Nutrition Interventions in the First 1000 Days of Life

Early childhood malnutrition severely affects the infant’s health, development, and productivity. Over the past two decades, research conducted worldwide and in India regarding malnutrition in children under five has found that rates of stunting and underweight tend to increase steadily from birth to 24 months and then stabilize. The existing evidence underscores the importance of focusing efforts on combating child malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.

A new review stated that this effort should involve ensuring universal access to essential nutrition interventions (ENIs) and maternal-child healthcare services. These services should encompass maternal nutritional care, promotion of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), iron-folic acid supplementation, immunization, deworming, and the effective management of childhood illnesses, among other measures.

Furthermore, it is crucial to address specific nutritional concerns within different contexts. This includes empowering women socioeconomically, preventing domestic violence, reducing adolescent pregnancies, improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, and providing family planning services. Identifying households that are at risk and have a member within the critical 1,000-day window requires special attention and is a central aspect of ongoing efforts in India through the National Nutrition Mission/POSHAN Abhiyaan.

However, it is imperative to shift the primary responsibility for ENIs during the first 1,000 days of life to India’s healthcare system for successful implementation. This should involve integrating maternal nutrition care interventions and promoting IYCF practices by maximizing contacts during antenatal care and routine child immunization services.

Source: Vir SC, Suri S. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2023 Aug 21:1-0.