Developing Countries Get Help In Solving Nutritional Problems

Health officials in developing countries are getting a boost in their efforts to battle high rates of iron and zinc deficiencies from CNRC researchers.

"Globally, nutritional deficiencies are a factor in over half the deaths in young children," said Dr. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and a CNRC mineral researcher. "The single most common nutritional problem is iron deficiency, which affects more than half of the children in many developing countries.

"We're trying to help the physicians and scientists in developing countries determine what will improve iron absorption in their children, and avoid the long-term consequences that result from deficiencies," he said.

The effects of iron and zinc deficiencies are far-reaching. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, long-term developmental problems, and poor school performance. A lack of zinc can cause an increased risk of infection and slow growth.

Abrams, along with Dr. David Hilmers and Dr. Ian Griffin, both assistant professors of pediatrics at Baylor, are currently working with researchers in 10 countries on iron and zinc deficiency studies.

The team provides assistance and training to health officials in these countries in the design of studies and analysis of data.

"We believe strongly that all the studies should be primarily done by the experts in those countries," Abrams said. "We want to help them develop the techniques necessary to do these studies."

The researchers travel to countries in Latin America, South America, Africa, and Asia to help set up the studies. In addition, they provide training for scientists from those countries who travel to the United States to study at the CNRC.

According to Abrams, deficiencies in iron and zinc are worse in developing countries because of the low consumption of meat and fortified foods. And, even when foods in these countries are fortified, the added minerals are not always easily absorbed. The form of supplementation, as well as the presence food components that can block absorption, are factors that must be considered, he said.

The Baylor team advises health officials on how to determine which forms of the supplemental iron and zinc are best absorbed and which will be most cost-effective.

"In developing countries, we must not only look at what works best, but what is most affordable," said Abrams. "If it costs too much, it won't be used."