Laura Vresk

Micronutrient status in children aged 6–59 months with severe wasting and/or nutritional edema: implications for nutritional rehabilitation formulations - p112–145

Undernutrition remains a global struggle and is associated with almost 45% of deaths in children younger than 5 years. Despite advances in management of severe wasting (though less so for nutritional edema), full and sustained recovery remains elusive. Children with severe wasting and/or nutritional edema (also commonly referred to as severe acute malnutrition and part of the umbrella term “severe malnutrition”) continue to have a high mortality rate. This suggests a likely multifactorial etiology that may include micronutrient deficiency. Micronutrients are currently provided in therapeutic foods at levels based on expert opinion, with few supportive studies of high quality having been conducted. This narrative review looks at the knowledge base on micronutrient deficiencies in children aged 6–59 months who have severe wasting and/or nutritional edema, in addition to highlighting areas where further research is warranted (See “Future Directions” section).


Severe malnutrition
severe acute malnutrition
severe wasting
nutritional edema
kwashiorkor
marasmus
pediatric
therapeutic feeds
micronutrient status
micronutrient deficiency
micronutrient toxicity
sodium
potassium,
calcium
phosphorus
magnesium
iron
copper
zinc
selenium
iodine
thiamine
riboflavin
niacin
pantothenic acid
vitamin B6
folic acid
vitamin B12
biotin