Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog
Nutrition
A renowned pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr Felizardo N. Gatcheco, gave a lecture on “Hidden Hunger, Child Stunting and Human Capital”,
During his lecture he emphasized the importance of proper nutrition among children for their good health.
He said that the first 5 years of life is crucial because 90% of human brain development is happening before the age of 5.
Clinically, micronutrient deficiencies may manifest the following
- Skin integrity : Pallor, Dry, Scaly skin, Dermatitis, Deficient in zinc, iron, vit B12 and Vit A
- Nails: Dull and mottled, protein deficiency and vit A and vit c
- Face: moon face, protein caloric malnutrition
- Neck: moon face, enlarged thyroid, protein caloric malnutrition and iodine deficiency
- Mouth: dry, cracked, red lips- vit B deficiency
Bleeding gums- vit C deficiency - Tongue: Inflammed mucosa- vit B , iron and vit c deficiency;
Magenta tongue- riboflavin deficiency; Beefy red color and diminished taste- niacin, folate, riboflavin, vit B12 deficiency - Eyes: night blindness- vit A deficiency
- Hair: dull, thin, deficient in Protein, iron, zinc and essential fatty acids
- Tooth: dental carries- due to excessive carbohydrate intake
The experts in nutrition and the Department of Health are doing strategies to minimize micronutrient deficiences by:
1. Fortification and biofortification like – Vit A flour, refined sugar and cooking oil
– iron fortified rice, iodized salts
2. Dietary diversification: more than 5 of the 8 food groups are offered children 6-23 months of age; more than 4 of the 7 food groups are offered if no longer breastfeed
3. Micronutrients supplementation – Dr Gatcheco emphasized the giving of Vit D starting at birth at the dose of 200-400 iU.