Abstract
Though many countries are on-track in reducing poverty, less than a quarter of developing countries are on-track for achieving the goal of halving undernutrition. Maternal undernutrition is widely prevalent among women in the developing countries and encompasses both chronic energy as well as micronutrient deficiencies. Maternal undernutrition leads to intrauterine growth restriction and consequent low birth weight, stunting, wasting, underweight and other micronutrient deficiencies along with conditions predisposing to mortality. There are no effective therapies to reverse intrauterine growth restriction; hence focus should be on preventive strategies. In developing countries, the interventions likely to have the largest impact on intrauterine growth include caloric and micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy, coupled with supportive strategies for improving nutrition.
Financial & competing interest disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Key issues
• Undernutrition, both macro- and micronutrient deficiencies are widely prevalent in developing countries contributing significantly toward maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
• Intrauterine growth restriction being one of the consequences of maternal undernutrition contributes significantly toward neonatal morbidity and consequent mortality.
• Undernutrition in developing countries is deep rooted in poverty and inequities.
• There is a need to package nutrition-specific interventions like micronutrient interventions and balanced energy protein supplementation with other maternal, newborn and child health interventions.
• Nutrition-sensitive programs including food security, poverty alleviation, women education and empowerment are imperative and can be the launch pads of nutrition-specific interventions.
• Community platforms could be utilized to achieve the targeted delivery.
• In resource-limited settings, cheap, effective and easy-to-implement measures for early diagnosis and timely management of intrauterine growth restriction like fetal movement counting, maternal BMI screening, measurement of symphysis fundal height, targeted ultrasound coupled with managmenet of identified cases should be promoted.
• Political commitment along with partnerships among the public and private sector is required to get the much-needed impetus and resources.