manual for integration of child care practices and mental health

Malnutrition, whether it is acute, chronic or linked to micronutrient deficiencies, can have permanent negative consequences on infant development.

Most studies (Grantham-McGregor/Rossetti-Ferreira) carried out on acute malnutrition show a delay in mental development that lasts until adolescence and results in greater
difficulties as an adult.

Improving the family’s ability to adequately and sufficiently care for and fulfil children’s needs contributes to increasing the efficacy of the treatment, ensuring children’s healthy physical and emotional development and reducing the underlying growth delay due to malnutrition. (See MHCP technical papers, MHCP policy, etc.)