South Asian experts discuss ‘hidden hunger’ and effects on infant brain development

By Admin

08 Nov, 2025

A two-day conference held at the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research in Delhi brought together leading scientists and public health experts from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to tackle a critical yet often overlooked issue   hidden hunger among pregnant women and its impact on infant brain development. The event, which concluded on Friday, was organized under the SACMIND Stakeholders Meeting with participation from representatives of UNICEF and WHO.

Understanding Hidden Hunger

Hidden hunger refers to the lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet, even when calorie intake is sufficient. Experts at the Delhi meet emphasized that micronutrient deficiencies particularly in pregnant women have profound effects on the neurodevelopment of newborns. Over the two days, discussions revolved around findings from national surveys in South Asian countries, the consequences of deficiencies like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, and the urgent need for coordinated policy action.

The Role of Maternal Nutrition

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Vani Sethi from UNICEF highlighted that 40% of children in South Asia are born with low birth weight, a statistic strongly linked to maternal micronutrient intake. She stressed that while existing programs focus largely on anemia, there is a pressing need to expand interventions to address other vital nutrients such as Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. These nutrients are not only crucial for improving pregnancy outcomes but also play a key role in supporting optimal neurodevelopment in infants.

Dr. Sethi further noted that current research aims to bridge the knowledge gap between maternal nutrition and children’s brain development, with the goal of shaping evidence-based policy improvements across the region.

The Call for Better Data and Policy Action

Dr. Jitender Nagpal, Principal Investigator of SACMIND and Deputy Medical Director at Sitaram Bhartia Institute, drew attention to a critical gap in data collection. He revealed that despite 30 million pregnancies occurring each year in India, there has been no comprehensive national survey assessing micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women.

He urged for strengthened surveillance systems for maternal nutrition to enable data-driven policymaking. Dr. Nagpal emphasized the importance of preventing key nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy, particularly B12 and Vitamin D, to protect both maternal health and newborn brain development.

Charting a Way Forward

The SACMIND conference concluded with a shared vision among experts and policymakers: to create integrated maternal nutrition programs that go beyond addressing anemia and encompass a broader range of micronutrients essential for healthy pregnancies and child development. With collaborative regional research and renewed commitment from public health bodies, South Asia aims to take a significant step toward combating hidden hunger and ensuring that every child is given the best possible start in life.