Malnutrition: Impact of Zinc on Child Development

Abstract

Malnutrition is a condition that results from dependency on diet which is deficient in one or more essential nutrients causing health problems. Zinc is known to be an essential micronutrient in humans that contributes to the structure and proper functioning of important organs including brain. It has been reported that malnutrition can interfere with the functioning of brain by reducing growth of neuronal and brain development by altering the function of neurotransmitter, delays in cognitive functioning and enhancing neurotoxicity. Child malnutrition can be reduced by interfering foetal development and early childhood. Children of age group under 24 months require special care as this stage is the most important phase for growth and development of children. During growth, deficiency of zinc leads to growth failure. Zinc deficiency clinically affects most of the organs in humans like gastrointestinal, skeletal, nervous, immune and reproductive system. There are four main intervention steps for improving deficiency of zinc that include dietary supplementation, modification and fortification of essential micronutrient. This chapter provides a review on physiological and biochemical functions of zinc, bioavailabil-ity of zinc, causes and consequences of zinc deficiency and how to tackle deficiency of minerals in children with special focus on zinc.