Micronutrients: Immunological and Infection Effects on Nutritional Status and Impact on Health in Developing Countries

Abstract

Just under 10 million children under 5 years of age continue to die unnecessarily in countries of the developing world (1,2). Undernutrition is the direct cause of at least a third of these deaths (3). Although there has been a reduction in the numbers and proportion dying, and progress toward the child survival millennium development goal (MDG4) is positive in many countries, clearly this is an unacceptable figure—especially when compared with what is possible from the single digit figures of more affluent countries. Progress toward the goals for maternal health (MDG5) and the elimination of poverty and hunger and undernutrition (MDG1) is doing even less well. Undernutrition contributes to over 3.5 million child deaths (3) and micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A and zinc deficiencies) have been estimated to account for 1 million of these deaths per year or 9% of global childhood burden of disease (under 5 years), while iron deficiency is a risk factor for maternal mortality, responsible for 115,000 deaths per year, or 20% of global maternal deaths (3)