Infant Nutrition in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

The burden of infant malnutrition is greatest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Infant malnutrition is defined based on distinct subcategories, among them stunting (low-height-for-age) and wasting (low-weight-for-height). Some experts are shifting more toward understanding the interplay between these overlapping phenotypes and other confounding factors such as maternal nutrition and environmental hygiene. Current guidelines emphasize appropriate breastfeeding and nutrition within the 1000 days from conception to a child's second birthday to optimize early development. Future research directed toward better biomarkers of malnutrition before acute clinical symptoms develop will help direct targeted efforts toward at-risk populations.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Environmental enteropathy; Infant; Nutrition; low- and middle-income countries.