Explain the Health Monitoring of Infant?

Infections are a major cause of malnutrition in children. For many of the preventable early childhood diseases, vaccines are now available so that these diseases of early childhood can be prevented providing a better opportunity for normal growth. These are referred as childhood immunizations, the schedule of which is given in Table. This schedule must be adhered to strictly.

Note: 1) At five years, DT Diphtheria and tetanus toxoid) is preferred to DPT. The medicine for whooping cough is not necessary at that age, and may result in adverse reactions.

2) Hepatitis B- Immediately after birth within 48 hours only.

Malnutrition, high infection rate, incomplete immunization and poor diarrhoea management are major cause of high infant mortality rate (IMR) and under five- mortality rate. Use of ORS and ensuring complete immunization schedule has been able to considerably reduce mortality rate.

With this, we end our discussion on the physiological changes occurring during the period of infancy and the concept of growl monitoring. Let us move on to nutrient requirements for infants and preschoolers. But before that, let us quickly recapitulate what we have learnt so far.