NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN: A GROWING CONCERN

Abstract

Nutritional deficiency among children remains one of the most important public health challenges worldwide. Adequate nutrition during childhood is essential for proper physical growth, cognitive development, immune competence, and emotional well-being. Deficiency of proteins, calories, vitamins, and minerals can adversely affect a child’s development and may lead to severe short-term and long-term complications. Common nutritional deficiencies observed in children include protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, zinc deficiency, calcium deficiency, iodine deficiency, and folic acid deficiency. Factors such as poor dietary habits, food insecurity, socioeconomic limitations, infections, and malabsorption disorders contribute significantly to these deficiencies. Early identification, nutritional education, dietary modifications, supplementation, and public health interventions are necessary to reduce morbidity and improve child health outcomes. The present article discusses common nutritional deficiencies in children, their causes, clinical manifestations, preventive strategies, and management approaches.