Child Mortality and Nutrition

Child Mortality and Nutrition

Context

A recent report titled "Levels and Trends in Child Mortality" (2025/2026) by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) reveals that globally, 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024. Of these, 2.3 million were neonatal deaths (within the first 28 days of life). The report highlights that most of these deaths are preventable through low-cost interventions and better healthcare access.

India’s Progress (1990 vs. 2024)

India has emerged as a global "exemplar" for its rapid decline in child mortality rates, significantly outpacing global averages.

Note: India’s Under-5 Mortality Rate is currently 27, which is close to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of $\leq 25$ by 2030.

Causes of Child Mortality

Despite the progress, several underlying factors continue to challenge child survival:

• Medical Complications: Preterm birth, birth asphyxia, and neonatal sepsis remain the leading causes of newborn deaths.
• Malnutrition: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) directly caused over 100,000 deaths globally in 2024 and indirectly weakens immunity against other diseases.
• Infectious Diseases: Beyond the neonatal stage, pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria are the primary "killers."
• Maternal Health: Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy leads to low birth weight, a major risk factor for infant mortality.

Food Security vs. Nutrition Security

The policy focus in India is shifting from "filling stomachs" to "nourishing bodies."

• Food Security: Focuses on the quantity and physical access to food (e.g., providing subsidized wheat and rice via the Public Distribution System).
• Nutrition Security: Focuses on the quality and diversity of the diet (e.g., ensuring a balance of proteins, micronutrients, and vitamins to prevent stunting and wasting).

Key Government Initiatives

The government has integrated health and nutrition through several flagship "Missions":

• PM POSHAN (formerly Mid-Day Meal): Provides one hot cooked nutritious meal to children in schools to improve both enrollment and nutritional status.
• Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): A multi-ministerial convergence mission to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, and anemia among children and women.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): A maternity benefit scheme providing ₹5,000–₹6,000 to pregnant women to compensate for wage loss and encourage adequate nutrition and rest.
• Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0: An integrated nutrition support program that leverages technology (smartphones for AWWs) and fortified food (e.g., fortified milk and rice).

Conclusion

India’s success in reducing child mortality is a testament to the scale of its public health interventions, such as the Universal Immunization Programme and Janani Suraksha Yojana. However, the "last mile" of progress will depend on transitioning from basic food security to comprehensive nutrition security, ensuring that every child not only survives but thrives.