Malnutrition in Asia and Neurological Consequences

Prevalence of malnutrition is a global phenomenon but the greatest contribution towards it is from the developing countries. Malnutrition impairs physical growth, cognitive functions of brain, physiological functions, immune response changes. Twenty Seven percent of children under 5 years are malnourished in the developing countries. India contributes to approximately 5.6 million child deaths annually with almost one billion children dying worldwide from the consequences of malnutrition. Malnutrition produces lasting effect on developing brain during the “Brain growth spurt’’ phase which corresponds to the period from 30 weeks of gestation to two-year of post natal age. In the peripheral nervous system the growth of axons, migration of Schwann cells and onset of myelination starts at 14 to 20 weeks of gestation. Malnutrition causes muscle wasting, hypotonia and impaired deep tendon reflexes from 30-40% of malnourished children. Deficiency of micronutrients in malnourished can cause myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, dementia, infantile seizures, infantile tremor syndrome, night blindness, optic neuropathy and spinocerebellar degeneration.