Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, B-16 Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India.
Indian Pediatr. 2012 Apr;49(4):271-5. doi: 10.1007/s13312-012-0035-3.
This policy review highlights the need to focus on stunting as an indicator of under-five undernutrition and explores the major challenges and priority public health options for accelerating linear growth in children. Early childhood stunting predicts poor human capital including shorter adult height, lower attained schooling, reduced adult income, and decreased offspring birth weight. The current prevalence of stunting is disconcerting but there has been a relatively faster decline recently. It is imperative to intervene before birth to address stunting. Pertinent ongoing interventions (delaying early child birth, adequate antenatal care and maternal iron-folate supplementation) are beneficial but have sub-optimal coverage. There is only a narrow window of opportunity in early life--the first two years. Effective coverage of children below two years of age with a package of interventions (breastfeeding; immunization; appropriate complementary feeding; treatment of infections, especially diarrhea; safe water supply; and sanitation) merits urgent investigation for greater impact.
本政策回顾强调需要关注发育迟缓作为五岁以下儿童营养不足的指标，并探讨了加速儿童线性生长的主要挑战和优先公共卫生选择。儿童早期发育迟缓预示着人力资本较差，包括成人身高较矮、受教育程度较低、成人收入减少和后代出生体重降低。目前发育迟缓的流行令人担忧，但最近有所下降。在出生前进行干预以解决发育迟缓问题至关重要。正在进行的相关干预措施（延迟初育、充分的产前护理和孕产妇铁叶酸补充）是有益的，但覆盖范围不足。在生命早期，即头两年，机会之窗很窄。对两岁以下儿童实施一整套干预措施（母乳喂养；免疫接种；适当的补充喂养；治疗感染，特别是腹泻；安全供水；和卫生）的有效覆盖值得紧急调查，以取得更大影响。
