Chronic undernutrition and cognitive abilities.

This review attempts to summarize recent developments in our understanding of the relationship between childhood malnutrition and cognitive abilities. The first questions briefly discussed relate to methods: the definition of malnutrition and the selection of suitable methods of measuring cognitive abilities. Next are considered the effects on mental development of undernutrition, social background and the behavioural patterns of mothers. The consequences of an episode of severe malnutrition in infancy and of confinement in hospital represent a special but important case. The review ends with a discussion of the factors that influence recovery and of strategies for intervention which might be included in a health care programme.