Nestle Nutrition Institute launched

Charmaine FERNANDO

An expert panel discussion on the ‘Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia and how best it could be managed in the Sri Lankan context’ was held at the Galadari Hotel, recently organized by Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI), the non-commercial arm of Nestle Nutrition unit.

Nutrition expertise

The expert panel consisted of Ekhard Ziegler, M. D. Prof. and Director, Formon Infant Nutrition Unit, University of Iowa, USA, Prof. S. P. Lamabadusuriya, Prof. of Paediatrics, University of Colombo, Prof. A. S. B. Wijekoon, Prof. of Paediatrics, University of Peradeniya and Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe, President, Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians.

Country Director, Nestle Nutrition Institute Mohomed Rizvi, said that their global Nestle Nutrition Institute head-quartered in Vevey, Switzerland, was set up in 2005 where healthcare professionals are learning on the science of nutrition. Their core areas of study focus on information sharing, education and training, he said.

These sessions are conducted in the form of scholarship programs, seminars, workshops, conferences and through the dissemination of educational material as to the most suitable nutrition required by immature babies to normal infants to growing children.

Anyone can access the website www.nestlenutritioninstitute.com by registering and get updated information on the subject of nutrition.

Anaemia in infants

Prof. Zeiglar identified that all anaemia cases are not due to iron deficiency and generally infants aged 6 to 18 months rate the highest in the iron deficiency count. This is due to the inadequate iron intake, lack of iron absorption and infections, he outlined.

Causes of anaemia in Sri Lanka

Prof. Lamabadusuriya presented research information highlighted the prevalence of Anaemia in the North Central and Uva is due to Thalassaemia (inherited causes of Beta Thalassaemia) which requires blood transfusion. Many more are in low haemoglobin levels of 10 to 11 grammes and suffer from a semi-thalasaemic state he said.

In Sri Lanka the hookworm too contributes towards the loss of blood in most cases.

It is due to barefoot walking by the poorer segments of victims.

Prof. Lamabadusuriya reiterated that Sri Lanka is world famous for tea and is a firm favourite locally but from a medical perspective tea inhibits or blocks the absorption of iron and in this context, adults who drink more tea on a regular basis may also develop Anaemia.

Prof. Wijekoon said that hookworm infection is prevalent throughout the country and it is noteworthy that the estate sector has notably shown a drop in this infection due to upgraded sanitation and the use of shoes and slippers.

Yet research points out urban children suffer anaemic conditions due to lack of iron deficiency in food. Getting back to traditional diet of iron-rich dry fish and small fish was emphasized.

Importance of iron in diet

Iron is essential for cognitive development of children and they cannot mature to their genetic potential in the absence of iron-enriched nutrition.

The delicate period of six months up to two years is crucial for cognitive development, it was highlighted. Build up of immunity, brain quality, improved behaviour patterns and height depends on the nutrition enriched with iron, it was stressed to reach maximum genetic potential.

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world and Sri Lanka is no exception.

It was unanimously agreed that breast feeding is probably the best medium of iron enriched milk food for infants, provided the mother consumes the required levels of iron intake.

On weaning and in the absence of breast feeding iron enriched nutrition is essential to a growing child, it was revealed.