Malnutrition and infection: a review.

Abstract

This state-of-the-art UN nutrition policy discussion paper focuses on the interaction of malnutrition and infection in child mortality in developing countries. Given the cyclic nature of the interaction it is appropriate to define a malnutrition-infection complex. Inadequate dietary intake can cause weight loss or failure of growth in children and lead to low nutritional reserves. This is associated with a lowering of immunity probably with all nutrient deficiencies. In the case of protein-energy and vitamin A deficiencies there may be progressive damage to mucosa lowering resistance to colonization and invasion by pathogens. Under these circumstances the incidence severity and duration of diseases are increased. The disease process itself exacerbates loss of nutrients inducing malnutrition which leads in turn to further damage to defense mechanisms. The first part of this report reviews present knowledge on malnutrition and infection. The second includes an annotated bibliography of research on the following topics: infection as a risk factor for poor growth poor growth as a risk factor for infection vitamin a deficiency as a risk factor for infection iron deficiency as a risk factor for infection zinc deficiency as a risk factor for infection and other vitamins and minerals.