Ghanaian Children die of preventable deficiencies - Paediatrician

Accra, June 12, GNA - A Paediatrician Consultant at the Department of Child Health of the University of Ghana, Dr. Onike Rodrigues on Tuesday outlined protein- energy malnutrition, iron deficiency, Vitamin A and iodine deficiency as the major malnutrition problems facing the Ghanaian child.

She said poor nutrition impaired growth; child development had

led to diseases and death among children. Dr. Rodrigues was speaking at the Ghana Health Service's monthly health promotion talk under the theme: "Nutrition".

She said good nutrition was vital for children's well- being, growth and development and the deficiencies could be prevented by a well-balanced diet in addition to vitamins and mineral supplements. She explained that children needed to have enough protein, calories, iron and other nutrients to enable them grow and develop well and prevent any deficiencies.

She noted that iron, iodine and vitamin A, constituted the three major micronutrients deficiencies in developing countries and there was the need to address such preventable deficiencies.

"Children need vitamins such as "A" to resist illness and prevent visual impairment, "C" to maintain intercellular substances, and "D" for strong bones and teeth", she added.

Dr. Rodrigues said between 40 and 50 per cent of children less than five years in developing countries were iron deficient, a contributor to anaemia in children. Iron deficiency anaemia in children she explained, impaired the affected intellectual development, damage their brain and cause mental retardation especially before birth. Inadequacy in diet, hookworm infestation, and menstruation in girls were also common causes of iron deficiency, which reduced the haemoglobin level of the victims. Iron deficiency in pregnancy, she explained could also cause maternal mortality and sometimes low birth weights. Dr Rodrigues advised Ghanaians to patronise iodised salts as the best source of iodine to prevent goitre, brain damage and mental retardation among infants. "Ghanaians should also eat more liver, lean meats, eggs, whole grain breads and green leafy vegetables, which are other sources of iron to promote healthy living"

Mr. Jacob Armah, head of the Nutrition Unit of the Ghana Health Service who presided, urged Ghanaians to ensure that their children were fed with nutritional meals and consume iodised salt. He said nursing mothers should ensure the six months exclusive

breast feeding for the good health of their babies.