Chennai: The infant and maternal mortality rates are very low in Tamil Nadu when compared to national average, says Dr V. Kanagasabai, dean of Madras Medical College.
Participating in a function to mar Nutrition Week at Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Egmore on Tuesday, he said the infant mortality rate is 24 in 1,000 deliveries, whereas the national average is 48.
“If you take neonatal, within the first month the mortality rate is 15. So, the majority of deaths are in the first month,” he said. Every year, September 1 to 7 is being observed as the nutrition week. The National Nutrition Week started in 1982 to promote awareness and good health through nutrition education.
The dean said people need more awareness about taking proper nutritious food. “Nutrition is more vital for pregnant mothers and new mothers. The maternal mortality rate is 63 per one lakh deliveries where as the national average is 234,” he said.
Speaking on the need of taking nutritious food, nutritionist Meenakshi Bajaj said everyday one should take greens, fruits and vegetables. Nearly 500 gms of fresh vegetables and fruits should be consumed per day.
“For the first six months, newborn should be given only mother’s milk. We want our children to be healthy and buy nutrition supplements from shops that advertise they are rich in DHA. We can get this DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) in sundal that has omega-3 fatty acid.
Idly, sambar and dosa are good for the breakfast,” she said, adding mothers should make sure that children eat breakfast as it is must for development. About 200 antenatal and postnatal mothers participated in the programme.