NUTRITIONAL DEFICIT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ITS IMPACTS ON NEUROCOGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Nutritional deficits have a direct impact on child cognitive development, potentially leading to long-term health and behavioral complications. Recent evidence indicates that deficiencies in essential micronutrients—such as iron, vitamin B₁₂, and omega-3—impair cognitive development, compromising learning, memory, and quality of life over time. This study aims to investigate the influence of micronutrient deficiencies during childhood on neurocognitive development. A qualitative narrative review was conducted using PubMed and DynaMed databases, including articles published between 2020 and 2025. The results demonstrate that brain development depends on specific micronutrients (iron, DHA, zinc) essential for neural architecture. The efficacy of supplementation proved variable, depending on prior nutritional status and the timing of intervention. Adverse socioeconomic factors and psychosocial stress were found to exacerbate neurological deficits, reinforcing the need for early interventions focused on the "first 1000 days," integrating food security and poverty reduction policies. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgency of intersectoral strategies that combine supplementation, pediatric follow-up, and public policies to support early childhood.