What long-term effects can severe malnutrition in the first year of life have on brain development?

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rickets, a nutritional disease — nutritional disease Children with rickets. The disease, which most commonly strikes children, causes bone deformities such as bowlegs. Rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium.

Severe malnutrition during infancy, particularly conditions such as kwashiorkor, is a significant global health concern. While the immediate physical symptoms of protein deficiency include muscle wasting, stunted growth, and fluid retention, the potential long-term consequences are profound.

Medical experts have expressed great concern regarding the lasting impact of early-life malnutrition on intellectual functions and brain development. Because the first year of life is a critical period for neurological growth, inadequate nutrition can disrupt the development of the nervous system, potentially leading to permanent cognitive and developmental deficits. Addressing these nutritional deficiencies is an ethical imperative to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full developmental potential.1