Good health management of mother and child leads to better health of them both while lack of management leads to malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs from consuming a diet in which specific nutrients are inadequate, in excess (too high in intake), or in the inappropriate proportions.

Malnutrition impacts both kids and their parents.  Malnourished mothers may give birth to underweight children, who are more likely to succumb to disease at a young age. Nearly one in three of the world’s poorest kids cannot achieve their full potential because of undernutrition and contributing to more than half of deaths in kids globally. Child malnutrition was related with more than half of the deaths in kids in developing nations in the last decade.

The issue of undernutrition in children goes hand in hand with an absence of disposable income within a family, poor understanding of basic nutrition and hygiene practices, poor child care practices and poor accessibility of medical assistance and clean water. All these aspects play a part in this cycle of deprivation.

What is the importance of understanding mother & child health management? 

When a woman is pregnant her body requires special nutritional supplements. After she has given birth, she has an increased need for energy and also for the nutrients that make her breast milk nourishing to her baby. This is important to consider in conditions where women are malnourished before pregnancy and don’t get certain vitamins or minerals.

Children who are undernourished have reduced resistance to infection, can have slower growth and are more probable to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections.

Impacts of malnutrition

Malnutrition is killing millions every year, for example, in Africa, 5 million children below age 5 died, in the previous year, which was 40% of the children deaths worldwide, and malnutrition was a main cause to half of those deaths.

Government’s initiatives to control malnutrition in Africa

South Africa gives nutrient added flour to more than half of its residents. Nigeria adds Retinol (Vit. A) to flour, edible oil as well as sugar. Ethiopia’s authorities intend to soon iodize all salt for human consumption. United Nations programs now protect 75% of sub-Saharan kids by administering with Retinol supplements two times each year.