The Interaction of Malnutrition and Neurologic Disability in Africa

Abstract

Malnutrition and neurodisability are both major public health problems in Africa. This review highlights key areas where they interact. This happens throughout life and starts with maternal malnutrition affecting fetal neurodevelopment with both immediate (eg, folate deficiency causing neural tube defects) and lifelong implications (eg, impaired cognitive function). Maternal malnutrition can also increase the risk of perinatal problems, including birth asphyxia, a major cause of neurologic damage and cerebral palsy. Macronutrient malnutrition can both cause and be caused by neurodisability. Mechanisms include decreased food intake, increased nutrient losses, and increased nutrient requirement. Specific micronutrient deficiencies can also lead to neurodisability, for example, blindness (vitamin A), intractable epilepsy (vitamin B6), and cognitive impairment (iodine and iron). Toxin ingestion (eg, from poorly processed cassava) can cause neurodisability including a peripheral polyneuropathy and a spastic paraparesis. We conclude that there is an urgent need for nutrition and disability programs to work more closely together.

Severe functional difficulties and disabilities in children and adolescents and the Sustainable Development Goals

“…9 Our results show that children with CFD also have higher prevalence of stunting and underweight compared with those with no CFD functional difficulties. Internationally, there is a growing interest in the links between nutrition and disability 10,11 as countries with high levels of malnutrition and nutrient deficiency also often report higher rates of disability and developmental delay. 12 While results do not allow to establish a causality between the two, it is likely that an overlap exists, and that malnutrition can contribute to a variety of different disabilities and that, in turn, disability and functional difficulties can contribute to malnutrition.…”

“…12 While results do not allow to establish a causality between the two, it is likely that an overlap exists, and that malnutrition can contribute to a variety of different disabilities and that, in turn, disability and functional difficulties can contribute to malnutrition. 10 For instance, malnutrition can cause disability from pregnancy onwards, through maternal malnutrition both during the prenatal 13 and postnatal period. 14 Additionally, macro and micro nutrients deficiency during infancy and childhood have also been linked to higher disability risk.…”

The intersection of disability and food security: Perspectives of health and humanitarian aid workers

“…Anyway, she can only consume small amounts of food or liquid as most of it spills from her mouth during feeding. Konje and Ladipo (2000), Kerac et al (2014) and Wu et al (2010) have reported malnutrition as a cause of disability. However, few researchers have explored alternative relationships between disability and nutrition such as the intersectionality between disability and feeding and swallowing.…”

Dukungan Keluarga Berhubungan dengan Asupan Energi Anak Retardasi Mental di SLB Negeri 01 Bantul Yogyakarta

“…Anak berkebutuhan khusus yang tidak tercukupi asupan energinya dari makanan akan lebih berisiko untuk menderita kondisi sekunder lain seperti kurang gizi, defisiensi zat gizi mikro, dan gizi buruk (8). Selain itu, ABK juga cenderung memiliki risiko kehilangan zat gizi dan angka kecukupan gizi yang lebih tinggi (9). Oleh karena itu, pemenuhan asupan energi dari makanan pada ABK, termasuk anak mencapai status gizi dan kesehatan yang optimal.…”