Page 13 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and
minerals), and overweight or obesity due to over-eating, which can lead to
Notes various diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

2.5.4 Immunization

Immunization, also popularly called vaccination, helps to protect us from getting
any infectious disease. It helps us in controlling and eliminating infections. The
most recent example is the elimination of polio. There are vaccinations available
for different infections like, tetanus, BCG, OPV, hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus
& Pertussis (DPT), HiB, typhoid, rota virus, vitamin A and measles, mumps
and rubella (MMR) etc. These vaccines are to be administered at fixed timings
to the pregnant woman, infants and children for which a schedule has been
prescribed by the government. Parental awareness will help build a healthy nation.
The benefits of immunization are not restricted to improvements in health and
life expectancy of the individual only but also have social and economic impact
at community and national levels.

2.5.5 Maternal Health

Maternal health affects children’s health as healthy children are born to healthy
mothers. Infants are dependent on mothers for complete diet in the first six months
by intake of breast milk. Maternal health refers to the health of women during
pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. While motherhood is often a
positive and fulfilling experience, for many women it is associated with suffering,
ill-health and even death. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF), at least 20% of the disease burden in children under five yearsis
related to problems in maternal health and malnutrition, as well as the quality of
care at delivery and during the newborn period. Moreover, a baby whose mother
dies during childbirth is less likely to survive, and children who lost their mothers
are 10 times more likely to die within two years of the death of their mothers.
Mothers are most vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy and up
to two years after childbirth. It is proven that nutrition interventions offer children
the best chance to survive and reach optimal growth and development.After that
the window closes, the damage to children is largely irreparable.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 2.2

Fill in the blanks.

(a) Malnutrition refers to the deficiencies or imbalances in an individual’s intake
of………….

24 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION