These researchers describe the nutritional status and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) disease burden of New Zealand children aged <5 years. Compared with other developed countries, New Zealand has a large ALRI disease burden in preschool-aged children, with 2- to 4-fold higher rates of pneumonia and bronchiolitis hospitalisation rates. The ALRI disease burden varies with ethnicity, being highest in Pacific, intermediate in Māori and lowest in European children. Three of the four key nutritional risk factors for ALRI disease burden globally (low birthweight, zinc deficiency and suboptimal breastfeeding) are potential contributors to ALRI disease burden in New Zealand. In addition, vitamin D deficiency during early childhood and maternal vitamin D deficiency are potentially important nutritional determinants of ALRI disease burden, particularly with respect to Pacific and Māori children, who have the larger disease burden.
