Suboptimal breastfeeding practices contribute to high rates of infant illness and malnutrition.

We introduced an educational intervention in mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding  in infants up to six months in rural Haryana.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates were significantly higher in communities where health workers counseled mothers, reducing diarrhea prevalence and supporting healthy infant growth.

Our research contributed to data that led to the WHO and national recommendations for extending the duration of exclusive breastfeeding from infant age 4 months to 6 months.

Our study, along with those by other groups, paved the way for extension of the duration of maternity leave to 6 months and a ban on advertisement of commercial infant formula till 6 months.

Nita Bhandari, Sarmila Mazumder, MK Bhan

Existing growth charts did not accurately reflect growth patterns of healthy children.

The investigators at SAS were a part of the WHO-led study to develop global growth standards based on children from six countries, including India.

Our data showed that the growth of Indian children residing in settings free from environmental constraints is similar 
to that of children in developed countries.

These growth standards are now used worldwide, including in India’s child monitoring programs.

The standards ensure accurate tracking of child growth and nutrition, enabling relevant interventions for undernutrition and stunting.

Nita Bhandari,Sunita Taneja, Temsunaro Rongsen Chandola, Pooja Sharma, MK Bhan.

High neonatal and infant mortality rates occur due to limited newborn care in home settings.

We evaluated the IMNCI program, which combines improved treatment for childhood illnesses with home visits for newborn care.

IMNCI reduced infant deaths by 15% and improved newborn care practices.

The program is a model for improving child survival in resource-limited settings.

IMNCI has been adopted in India, saving lives and improving care for newborns in vulnerable communities.

Nita Bhandari,
Sarmila Mazumder, Sunita Taneja.

Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhea in young children, often leading to death in low-resource settings.

We were a part of the team that evaluated ROTAVAC®, India’s first indigenously manufactured rotavirus vaccine. We participated in all phases of the clinical trials conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Phase I trial) and SAS (Phases II and III) across urban and rural India as well as the post-introduction evaluation (Phase IV).

ROTAVAC® reduced severe diarrhea cases by over 50% and was a safe, affordable vaccine.

Introduced in the Universal Immunization Program of India, ROTAVAC® now protects millions of children.

The vaccine has significantly reduced childhood deaths from diarrhea, offering hope for low-resource settings globally.

Nita Bhandari, Temsunaro Rongsen-Chandola, Sunita Taneja, Nidhi Goyal, 
Pooja Sharma

Vitamin A deficiency contributes to high infant mortality in developing countries.

We assessed the impact of neonatal vitamin A supplementation within 72 hours of birth in a large trial.

We found a modest reduction in mortality in the first 6 months of life.

Our findings informed WHO guidelines on vitamin A supplementation for regions where vitamin A deficiency is a moderate public health problem.

Neonatal vitamin A programs are helping reduce mortality in areas with high vitamin A deficiency.

Nita Bhandari, Sarmila Mazumder, Sunita Taneja

SAM requires effective, scalable home-based treatments.

We compared the effectiveness of different regimens for the rehabilitation of children with SAM.

It is possible to treat children with SAM 
at home.

The findings led to rethinking about ways to combat the problem of SAM and implementation of district-based nutrition programs in several Indian states.

Home-based management of SAM is practiced widely and helps in saving lives.

Nita Bhandari, 
Sunita Taneja, 
Sanjana Brahmawar Mohan, Sarmila Mazumder

Low-birthweight 
babies face high risks of mortality and illness.

We conducted a community-based study to assess the impact of kangaroo mother care (skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding).

Babies receiving KMC were 30% less likely to die in the first 28 days and 25% less likely to die in the first 6 months.

WHO now recommends KMC as the standard of care for stable, low-birthweight babies.

KMC has become a global standard, helping low-birthweight babies thrive in resource-limited settings.

Sarmila Mazumder, 
Arun Singh Jadaun, Sunita Taneja, Bireshwar Sinha, Ravi Prakash Upadhyay, Nita Bhandari

Poor maternal and child nutrition leads to low birth weight and stunted growth.

In a landmark study, we tested a package of health, nutrition, WaSH and psychosocial interventions delivered from preconception to early childhood.

The integrated approach reduced low birth weight and stunting, with the greatest impact when interventions were given from preconception to childhood.

WINGS is being scaled up in some Indian states, offering a model for improving maternal and child health.

WINGS has the likelihood to transform how maternal and child health services are delivered, ensuring better outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

Sunita Taneja, 
Ranadip Chowdhury, Neeta Dhabhai, 
Ravi Prakash Upadhyay, Sarmila Mazumder, Sitanshi Sharma, 
Harish Chellani, 
Nita Bhandari

© World Health Organization 2022. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo)

Our systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including assessments of enteral supplementation of iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, and multiple micronutrients, have been pivotal in shaping global health policies. These reviews provided critical evidence that informed the World Health Organization’s updated Guidelines for the Care of Preterm or Low Birthweight Infants. By addressing gaps in knowledge regarding the role of micronutrients in preventing morbidity and mortality among preterm and low birth weight infants, our work supports evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving neonatal outcomes and promoting long-term health for this vulnerable population.