Panel approves nutrition norms

Panel approves nutrition norms

News

1. Nutrition panel of National Technical Board on Nutrition (NTBN) recommends new norms of nutrition for severely malnourished children

Important facts

2. Guidelines for severely malnourished children

• They should be given freshly cooked food
• Locally available cereals, pulses and vegetables should be used in meals.
• Hospitalization of severely wasted children who develop medical complications

3. Guidelines for anganwadi workers

• Identifying severely wasted children
• Segregating those with medical complications
• Sending malnourished children to the nearest health facility or nutrition rehabilitation center
• Modified morning snacks, hot cooked meals and take home ration for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) Children should be given.

Note:

• Severe acute malnutrition is defined by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema.
• Stunting, or low height for age, is caused by long-term insufficient nutrient intake and frequent infections. Stunting generally occurs before age two, and effects are largely irreversible. These include delayed motor development, impaired cognitive function and poor school performance. Nearly one third of children under five in the developing world are stunted.
• Wasting, or low weight for height, is a strong predictor of mortality among children under five. It is usually the result of acute significant food shortage and/or disease.

4. Guidelines for healthy children

• These children will be enrolled in Community Based Management Programme which includes
• Provision of nutrition
• Continuous monitoring of growth of children
• Administration of antibiotics and micro-nutrients
• Imparting of nutrition and health education