This article from Nicholas Kristof for the New York Times explains how the lack of key micronutrients such as folic acid (aka vitamin B9), iodine, zinc, iron and vitamin A in developing countries is causing deformities due to neural tube defects, as well as brain malformation, anemia and blindness.  The good news is that micronutrient deficiencies is one of the cheapest problems to address, typically done by adding micronutrients to common foods. 

Read the article to learn more, and visit the websites of Project Healthy Children, Hellen Keller International, and Vitamin Angels.