Symposium: NutritionMicronutrients

Micronutrients are essential dietary components and play a fundamental role in disease prevention. 30 are essential and cannot be synthesised by the body on a daily basis, making dietary sources critical. Micronutrients have an array of biochemical functions which are central in the homeostatic regulation of body function. In metabolic pathways chemical reactions may not be able to continue along their natural path if a crucial micronutrient is lacking. The normal metabolic regulation of the body will have been disturbed and ill health may occur due to the absence of a specific micronutrients.Several population groups with specific nutritional requirements, complex socio-economic and environmental circumstances may be at risk of inadequate micronutrient intakes and not meet their recommended requirements levels due to poor consumption or excessive losses. This group may benefit from micronutrient supplements. Infants/children are a specific population group who are at risk of micronutrient deficiency making adequate intakes essential to ensure normal growth and development. The paediatric population will be discussed here, with reference to current recommendations for their micronutrient and supplementation requirements based on current evidence available.