Diet and Nutrition of Pregnant and Lactating Women and Infants of Urban Slums of Hyderabad

Abstract

Pregnancy, lactation and preschool age are periods of considerable physiological stress, which calls for additional nutrient requirements. It becomes essential that these groups of population be ensured with sound nutritional care. The high incidences of prematurity, low birth weight babies and the consequent neonatal mortality are mostly attributable to maternal malnutrition. Since life for an infant starts before birth, during its prenatal stage, it becomes imperative that the attention is focused on the health and nutrition of the mother right from pregnancy to the lactating period.