Does undernutrition during infancy inhibit brain growth and subsequent intellectual development?

Abstract

Nutritional experiments on calves suggest that the effect of undernutrition on mature size is most marked if it occurs during the period of maximum growth, and also according to its duration relative to the total period of growth. When applied to human nutrition, this concept suggested that undernutrition during infancy might have its greatest effect on growth of the brain. Retardation of intellectual capacity is a likely consequence. This study, in which a group of Cape Coloured children who were grossly undernourished during the first year of life was compared with a matched control group, supports this hypothesis. Both brain growth, as reflected by head circumference, and the I.Q. of the undernourished group were significantly lower than in the control group; and there was no improvement during the period of up to seven years during which they were followed.