ABSTRACT
In all mammalian species the brain growth spurt occurs early in life. We know that the brain, like all organs, is “vulnerable” to insult, stress, and nutritional deficiency during the period of maximum growth. We also know that deficits in growth – that is, in the number of brain cells which are produced during the brain growth spurt – cannot be made good later on in life. Furthermore we know that even moderate malnutrition during the vulnerable period will affect brain weight, cell number, and the chemical composition of brain cells (Dobbing & Smart, 1973).
