Globally, one in five infants u6m is born small or nutritionally at-risk or may become so in the first six months of life and are at greater risk of poor growth and development, ill health and mortality. This situation is often increased in low- and middle-income countries and emergency contexts where nutrition challenges are amplified. Infants at risk of poor growth and development is a key focus in various health and nutrition global policies including the 2023 WHO Guideline on wasting and ongoing work on small and sick newborns. Mothers’ nutrition and health, including mental health is also a key area to consider. Effective management of small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months and their mothers is essential to saving lives.
The MAMI Global Network
To address undernutrition among at-risk infants under six months and their mothers, the GNC MAMI Working Group was formed with members who are active facilitators and participants in the MAMI Global Network. This established network of local, national and international implementers, researchers and policy-makers work together to improve policy, evidence, and practice for small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months and their mothers. The MAMI Global Network’s primary resource is the MAMI Care Pathway, which guides practitioners on identifying, assessing and managing small and nutritionally at-risk infants u6m and their mothers. The Network is coordinated by Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) and co-led by ENN and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Key Activities
- Identify and provide advice around unaddressed technical issues
- Co-chair and coordinate the MAMI Implementer’s Group (global) and the MAMI en Pratique Group (francophone / regional)
- Encourage and support where needed country chapters and networks that promote local solutions and learnings
- Disseminate the MAMI Global Network newsletter (English and French), which contains the latest knowledge, key resources, research, and more
Useful links
- MAMI Global Network
- MAMI Resources
- Implementing care for vulnerable infants under 6 months of age and their mothers: Pakistan
- Implementing care for vulnerable infants under 6 months of age and their mothers: South Sudan
- Implementing care for vulnerable infants under 6 months of age and their mothers: Yemen
