The First 1,000 Days: Trends towards Biosensing in Assessing Micronutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrients provide the essential building blocks for brain development, healthy growth and a strong immune system in children. Malnutrition in form of micronutrient deficiencies develop gradually over time and their negative effects are not seen until irreversible damage may have occurred. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports the 2016 Global Nutrition Report (GNR), emphasizing the enormous importance of investing in the critical first 1,000 days nutritional requirement as it directly affects the attainment of 12 out of the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Up till now, in many countries, early detection of malnutrition is carried out by specific, majorly blood-based tests in specialized laboratories by trained personnel. This review expatiates on diagnostic trends towards early detection of micronutrient malnutrition highlighting the significant role of Engineering in this cause. Focusing on the children within the 1000-day critical window, suggestions on modalities for continual tracking required to prevent malnutrition using biosensors are also advanced in this review.