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PEM has important consequences for the survival, health and development of young children. The results of recent research by David Pelletier of Cornell University clearly show that malnutrition contributes to 56% of all child deaths and this because of its potentiating effects on infectious diseases. This is roughly 8-10 times higher than conventional estimates that ignore the
    potentiating effects of malnutrition on disease and the effects of mild and moderate malnutrition (MMM). In addition, 83% of the malnutrition-related deaths, are due to MMM as opposed to severe malnutrition; this is more significant than was commonly recognized.
    It also has important policy implications regarding the balance of various intervention strategies needed, interventions that combine health care, nutritional improvement, and reductions in disease exposure. (see Pelletier,DL. Nutrition Reviews 52:409-415,1994 or Bull World Health Organ 73(4): 443-448, 1995)

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