Message-ID: <s1da58f5.095@jsi.com> Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 11:25:02 -0400 From: Project Omni <mailto:omni_project@JSI.COM> Subject: OMNI/USAID PUBLISHED IRON INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILD SURVIVAL To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
*****OMNI NEWS FLASH********OMNI NEWS FLASH*******OMNI NEWS ****************************************************************************** PROCEEDINGS OF A WORKSHOP ON IRON INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILD SURVIVAL IS PUBLISHED BY OMNIEfforts to reduce and control iron deficiency anemia in infants and young children were addressed in a May 17-18, 1995 workshop in London, organized by USAID/OMNI and The London Institute for Child Health. The proceedings of this workshop on "Iron Interventions for Child Survival" are now available through OMNI. Over 183 million children under the age of five -- 51% of the children in developing countries, excluding China -- are anemic. Anemia adversely affects physical growth and cognitive development of children. It also increases susceptibility to infections. Anemia is primarily caused by the body's inability to absorb sufficient iron from commonly consumed foods to meet requirements. Deficiencies of other micronutrients and chronic infections, such as hookworm and malaria, also play a role in causing or prolonging iron deficiency. Interventions that address these and other causes are discussed throughout the proceedings, as is the need to target interventions to different age groups of young children. Strategies for improving iron status in children under six months of age include promoting breast-feeding. Children six to twenty-four months of age are most vulnerable to iron deficiency and dietary interventions, such as encouraging breast-feeding and introducing micronutrient-rich foods at the appropriate age, as well as malaria control in malaria areas, are the principle recommended strategies. Controlling infectious diseases and parasites can help prevent anemia in children between two and five years of age. Infant foods have been fortified with iron in developed countries for many years, but fortification has yet to be instituted widely in developing countries. Work is underway to determine how culturally acceptable, processed, complementary foods can be made available to children in developing countries at a price that even the poorest members of society can afford. The proceedings: * describe local and national pilot programs that have addressed iron deficiency in children under five years of age; * present research findings that stress the importance of tailoring efforts to improve iron status to individual countries; * examine the challenges programs have faced and how they were overcome; * review key research questions that must be addressed to increase the effectiveness of iron interventions; * provide information that could guide and prioritize program agendas for the future.
To receive a copy of the Iron Proceedings, please contact OMNI via email or at the address below. ***************************************************************************** OPPORTUNITIES FOR MICRONUTRIENT INTERVENTIONS (OMNI) is funded by the Office of Health and Nutrition of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C. and managed by John Snow, Inc. OMNI's mission is accomplished by developing integrated, comprehensive programs and strategies to reduce and eliminate major micronutrient deficiencies throughout the developing world. Participating countries are based on their micronutrient malnutrition problems, commitment by local officials (public and private) to micronutrient activities, and their capacity to achieve and sustain demonstrable impact. ****************************************************************************** OMNI is located at 1616 North Fort Myer Dr, Suite 1100, Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA - Tel: 703 528-7474 - Fax: 703 528-7480 E-mail: mailto:omni_project@jsi.com WWW: http://www.jsi.com/intl/omni/home ******************************************************************************