micronutrientendeficiënties

Micronutrientendeficiënties refer to a state in which the intake or availability of essential vitamins and trace minerals is insufficient to maintain normal physiological function. These nutrients, though required only in small amounts, are crucial for enzymatic reactions, immune competence, oxygen transport, bone formation, and antioxidant defense.

Causes of micronutrient deficiencies are multifactorial. They include inadequate dietary intake due to limited food variety, socioeconomic constraints, or restrictive eating patterns; impaired absorption caused by gastrointestinal disorders, infections, or medication use; increased physiological demand during growth, pregnancy, lactation, or strenuous activity; and redistribution of nutrients during acute or chronic illness. Environmental factors such as soil depletion and processing losses also contribute.

Clinical manifestations vary with the specific nutrient. Iron, zinc, and selenium deficits commonly produce anemia, growth retardation, dermatitis, and neurologic changes. Vitamin A deficiency impairs vision and mucosal immunity; vitamin B12 or folate insufficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia and neuropsychiatric symptoms; vitamin D deficiency results in bone pain, rickets, or osteomalacia. The World Health Organization estimates that micronutrient deficiencies affect nearly a quarter of the global population, with higher prevalence in low‑income regions.

Diagnosis is typically obtained through dietary assessment, biochemical markers (serum ferritin, retinol, 25‑hydroxyvitamin D, etc.), and clinical evaluation. Prevention involves promoting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, dairy or fortified alternatives, and in some cases, supplementation or food fortification programs. Public health strategies emphasize education, fortification of staple foods, and targeted supplementation for high‑risk groups to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with micronutrient endeficiënties.