Malnutition and its effects on development in Iranian Children

Malnutrition has many detrimental effects on functional capacities of brain. Micronutrients such as iodine ، zinc and iron have significant roles in the metabolic activities of the human body. In malnourished children there is a constellation of deficiencies of different macro – and micronutrients . Therefore the adverse impacts on the central nervous system is obvious. In this article we have tried to demonstrate the incidence of deficiencies of different micronutrients in Iranian infants and children. Unfortunately, as can be seen, these figures are very concerning. Our study showed the following data: Mean value for zinc deficiency among infants 18.6% and among children 31%. Mean value for iron deficiency among infants 37.8% and among children 18.2%. short stature due to malnutrition 15.9%, FTT (decreased weight) 10.5% and stunting 5.6%.