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Huybregts L, Le Port A, Becquey E, Zongrone A, Barba FM, Rawat R, Leroy JL, Ruel MT. Impact on child acute malnutrition of integrating small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements into community-level screening for acute malnutrition: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Mali. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002892. [PMID: 31454356 PMCID: PMC6711497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) has been widely adopted to treat childhood acute malnutrition (AM), but its effectiveness in program settings is often limited by implementation constraints, low screening coverage, and poor treatment uptake and adherence. This study addresses the problem of low screening coverage by testing the impact of distributing small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) at monthly screenings held by community health volunteers (CHVs). Screening sessions included behavior change communication (BCC) on nutrition, health, and hygiene practices (both study arms) and SQ-LNSs (one study arm). Impact was assessed on AM screening and treatment coverage and on AM incidence and prevalence. METHODS AND FINDINGS A two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial in 48 health center catchment areas in the Bla and San health districts in Mali was conducted from February 2015 to April 2017. In both arms, CHVs led monthly AM screenings in children 6-23 months of age and provided BCC to caregivers. The intervention arm also received a monthly supply of SQ-LNSs to stimulate caregivers' participation and supplement children's diet. We used two study designs: i) a repeated cross-sectional study (n = approximately 2,300) with baseline and endline surveys to examine impacts on AM screening and treatment coverage and prevalence (primary study outcomes) and ii) a longitudinal study of children enrolled at 6 months of age (n = 1,132) and followed monthly for 18 months to assess impact on AM screening and treatment coverage and incidence (primary study outcomes). All analyses were done by intent to treat. The intervention significantly increased AM screening coverage (cross-sectional study: +40 percentage points [pp], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 32, 49, p < 0.001; longitudinal study: +28 pp, 95% CI: 23, 33, p < 0.001). No impact on treatment coverage or AM prevalence was found. Children in the intervention arm, however, were 29% (95% CI: 8, 46; p = 0.017) less likely to develop a first AM episode (incidence) and, compared to children in comparison arm, their overall risk of AM (longitudinal prevalence) was 30% (95% CI: 12, 44; p = 0.002) lower. The intervention lowered CMAM enrollment by 10 pp (95% CI: 1.9, 18; p = 0.016), an unintended negative impact likely due to CHVs handing out preventive SQ-LNSs to caregivers of AM children instead of referring them to the CMAM program. Study limitations were i) the referral of AM cases by our research team (for ethical reasons) during monthly measurements in the longitudinal study might have interfered with usual CMAM activities and ii) the outcomes presented by child age also reflect seasonal variations because of the closed cohort design. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating SQ-LNSs into monthly community-level AM screenings and BCC sessions was highly effective at improving screening coverage and reducing AM incidence, but it did not improve AM prevalence or treatment coverage. Future evaluation and implementation research on CMAM should carefully assess and tackle the remaining barriers that prevent AM cases from being correctly diagnosed, referred, and adequately treated. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02323815.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieven Huybregts
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Agnes Le Port
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Elodie Becquey
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Amanda Zongrone
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Francisco M. Barba
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Rahul Rawat
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Jef L. Leroy
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Marie T. Ruel
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Bourke CD, Jones KDJ, Prendergast AJ. Current Understanding of Innate Immune Cell Dysfunction in Childhood Undernutrition. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1728. [PMID: 31417545 PMCID: PMC6681674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition affects millions of children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and underlies almost half of all deaths among children under 5 years old. The growth deficits that characterize childhood undernutrition (stunting and wasting) result from simultaneous underlying defects in multiple physiological processes, and current treatment regimens do not completely normalize these pathways. Most deaths among undernourished children are due to infections, indicating that their anti-pathogen immune responses are impaired. Defects in the body's first-line-of-defense against pathogens, the innate immune system, is a plausible yet understudied pathway that could contribute to this increased infection risk. In this review, we discuss the evidence for innate immune cell dysfunction from cohort studies of childhood undernutrition in LMIC, highlighting knowledge gaps in almost all innate immune cell types. We supplement these gaps with insights from relevant experimental models and make recommendations for how human and animal studies could be improved. A better understanding of innate immune function could inform future tractable immune-targeted interventions for childhood undernutrition to reduce mortality and improve long-term health, growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire D Bourke
- Centre for Genomics & Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Kelsey D J Jones
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, University of Oxford NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Prendergast
- Centre for Genomics & Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Sex effect on growth faltering in an indigenous ethnic minority population of infants in Israel. Public Health Nutr 2019; 22:2747-2755. [PMID: 31274067 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980019001691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined sex effects on growth faltering in an indigenous population of Bedouin Arab infants born in Israel, an economically developed country. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) at age 6, 12, 18 and 24 months was calculated for full-term, normal-birth-weight Bedouin infants born during years 2000-2009 and attending maternal and child health (MCH) clinics. Multivariate linear regression analysis (MLRA) was used to calculate the association between sex and HAZ, controlling for year of birth, birth weight (BW) and residence by type of settlement (established settlement (ES); non-established settlement (NES)). SETTING Bedouin are an indigenous poor community of semi-nomadic Arabs, with the highest infant mortality rate in Israel. Fifty per cent of Bedouin infants live in NES with inadequate access to running water, electricity, and rubbish and sewage disposal. All Bedouin receive free well-baby care in community-based MCH clinics. PARTICIPANTS Full-term, normal Bedouin infants (n 5426) born during 2000-2009 and attending computerized MCH clinics who had growth measurements at age 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS At all ages, girls had significantly higher mean HAZ than boys (P < 0·05). Increasing birth year, residence in ES and increasing BW were positively associated with HAZ (P < 0·05) at all ages. In MLRA controlling for birth year, BW and type of settlement, sex still had a significant effect, with lower HAZ among boys at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age (P < 0·001 at all ages). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that sex effects on growth faltering can occur in an indigenous population with low socio-economic status within an economically developed country.
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Bait BR, Rah JH, Roshita A, Amaheka R, Chrisnadarmani V, Lino MR. Community engagement to manage acute malnutrition: implementation research in Kupang district, Indonesia. Bull World Health Organ 2019; 97:597-604. [PMID: 31474772 PMCID: PMC6705509 DOI: 10.2471/blt.18.223339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To improve the low coverage and performance of a programme on community-based management of acute malnutrition, implemented between October 2015 and April 2018 in Kupang district in rural Indonesia. Methods To investigate why the coverage and performance were low in the first year of the programme, we conducted a semiquantitative evaluation between August and September 2016. We used the results from the evaluation to inform programme improvement, by developing and modifying community mobilization strategies. We employed a multipronged approach to improve community awareness on acute malnutrition and on community-based services for such condition. This approach involved workshops, focus discussion groups in the community and sensitization events at health posts that had issues with community engagement. Community health workers increased their efforts in active case finding by visiting households with children who had missed the community health post sessions. We measured the performance using three Sphere minimum standard performance indicators: proportion of children recovering (> 75%); defaulting (< 15%); and dying (<10%). Results The community mobilization efforts increased the screening rate from 17% (564/3278) in October 2015 to 66% (6793/10 251) in March 2018. In 2017, the programme met the three performance indicators: 79% (256/326) of children recovered; 10% (34/326) defaulted; and less than 1% (2/326) died. Conclusion In Indonesia, community mobilization is central for addressing severe acute malnutrition in children younger than five years. This strategy includes securing political leadership and effective messaging alongside locally tailored strategies and continuous ground-level support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blandina Rosalina Bait
- United Nations Children's Fund, Kupang Field Office, Jalan Polisi Militer 2, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggare Province, Indonesia
| | - Jee Hyun Rah
- United Nations Children's Fund, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Vama Chrisnadarmani
- United Nations Children's Fund, Kupang Field Office, Jalan Polisi Militer 2, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggare Province, Indonesia
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Goudet SM, Bogin BA, Madise NJ, Griffiths PL. Nutritional interventions for preventing stunting in children (birth to 59 months) living in urban slums in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 6:CD011695. [PMID: 31204795 PMCID: PMC6572871 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011695.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutritional interventions to prevent stunting of infants and young children are most often applied in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Few interventions are focused on urban slums. The literature needs a systematic assessment, as infants and children living in slums are at high risk of stunting. Urban slums are complex environments in terms of biological, social, and political variables and the outcomes of nutritional interventions need to be assessed in relation to these variables. For the purposes of this review, we followed the UN-Habitat 2004 definitions for low-income informal settlements or slums as lacking one or more indicators of basic services or infrastructure. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of nutritional interventions to reduce stunting in infants and children under five years old in urban slums from LMIC and the effect of nutritional interventions on other nutritional (wasting and underweight) and non-nutritional outcomes (socioeconomic, health and developmental) in addition to stunting. SEARCH METHODS The review used a sensitive search strategy of electronic databases, bibliographies of articles, conference proceedings, websites, grey literature, and contact with experts and authors published from 1990. We searched 32 databases, in English and non-English languages (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, etc). We performed the initial literature search from November 2015 to January 2016, and conducted top up searches in March 2017 and in August 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA Research designs included randomised (including cluster-randomised) trials, quasi-randomised trials, non-randomised controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, pre- and postintervention, interrupted time series (ITS), and historically controlled studies among infants and children from LMIC, from birth to 59 months, living in urban slums. The interventions included were nutrition-specific or maternal education. The primary outcomes were length or height expressed in cm or length-for-age (LFA)/height-for-age (HFA) z-scores, and birth weight in grams or presence/absence of low birth weight (LBW). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We screened and then retrieved titles and abstracts as full text if potentially eligible for inclusion. Working independently, one review author screened all titles and abstracts and extracted data on the selected population, intervention, comparison, and outcome parameters and two other authors assessed half each. We calculated mean selection difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We performed intervention-level meta-analyses to estimate pooled measures of effect, or narrative synthesis when meta-analyses were not possible. We used P less than 0.05 to assess statistical significance and intervention outcomes were also considered for their biological/health importance. Where effect sizes were small and statistically insignificant, we concluded there was 'unclear effect'. MAIN RESULTS The systematic review included 15 studies, of which 14 were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The interventions took place in recognised slums or poor urban or periurban areas. The study locations were mainly Bangladesh, India, and Peru. The participants included 9261 infants and children and 3664 pregnant women. There were no dietary intervention studies. All the studies identified were nutrient supplementation and educational interventions. The interventions included zinc supplementation in pregnant women (three studies), micronutrient or macronutrient supplementation in children (eight studies), nutrition education for pregnant women (two studies), and nutrition systems strengthening targeting children (two studies) intervention. Six interventions were adapted to the urban context and seven targeted household, community, or 'service delivery' via systems strengthening. The primary review outcomes were available from seven studies for LFA/HFA, four for LBW, and nine for length.The studies had overall high risk of bias for 11 studies and only four RCTs had moderate risk of bias. Overall, the evidence was complex to report, with a wide range of outcome measures reported. Consequently, only eight study findings were reported in meta-analyses and seven in a narrative form. The certainty of evidence was very low to moderate overall. None of the studies reported differential impacts of interventions relevant to equity issues.Zinc supplementation of pregnant women on LBW or length (versus supplementation without zinc or placebo) (three RCTs)There was no evidence of an effect on LBW (MD -36.13 g, 95% CI -83.61 to 11.35), with moderate-certainty evidence, or no evidence of an effect or unclear effect on length with low- to moderate-certainty evidence.Micronutrient or macronutrient supplementation in children (versus no intervention or placebo) (eight RCTs)There was no evidence of an effect or unclear effect of nutrient supplementation of children on HFA for studies in the meta-analysis with low-certainty evidence (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.02), and inconclusive effect on length for studies reported in a narrative form with very low- to moderate-certainty evidence.Nutrition education for pregnant women (versus standard care or no intervention) (two RCTs)There was a positive impact on LBW of education interventions in pregnant women, with low-certainty evidence (MD 478.44g, 95% CI 423.55 to 533.32).Nutrition systems strengthening interventions targeting children (compared with no intervention, standard care) (one RCT and one controlled before-and-after study)There were inconclusive results on HFA, with very low- to low-certainty evidence, and a positive influence on length at 18 months, with low-certainty evidence. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS All the nutritional interventions reviewed had the potential to decrease stunting, based on evidence from outside of slum contexts; however, there was no evidence of an effect of the interventions included in this review (very low- to moderate-certainty evidence). Challenges linked to urban slum programming (high mobility, lack of social services, and high loss of follow-up) should be taken into account when nutrition-specific interventions are proposed to address LBW and stunting in such environments. More evidence is needed of the effects of multi-sectorial interventions, combining nutrition-specific and sensitive methods and programmes, as well as the effects of 'up-stream' practices and policies of governmental, non-governmental organisations, and the business sector on nutrition-related outcomes such as stunting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie M Goudet
- Loughborough UniversityCentre for Global Health and Human Development, School of Sport, Exercise and Health SciencesLoughboroughLeicestershireUKLE11 3TU
| | - Barry A Bogin
- Loughborough UniversityCentre for Global Health and Human Development, School of Sport, Exercise and Health SciencesLoughboroughLeicestershireUKLE11 3TU
| | | | - Paula L Griffiths
- Loughborough UniversityCentre for Global Health and Human Development, School of Sport, Exercise and Health SciencesLoughboroughLeicestershireUKLE11 3TU
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Donowitz JR, Parikh HI, Taniuchi M, Gilchrist CA, Haque R, Kirkpatrick BD, Alam M, Kakon SH, Islam BZ, Afreen S, Kabir M, Nayak U, Colgate ER, Carmolli MP, Petri WA. Increased Fecal Lactobacillus Is Associated With a Positive Glucose Hydrogen Breath Test in Bangladeshi Children. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz266. [PMID: 31281862 PMCID: PMC6602902 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glucose hydrogen breath testing is a noninvasive test for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). A positive glucose hydrogen breath test is common in children from low-income countries and has been found to be associated with malnutrition as measured by stunted growth. The microbiome associated with positive breath testing is relatively unstudied. Methods We performed 16 S V4 rDNA microbiome analysis on the stool of 90 Bangladeshi children aged 2 years from an impoverished neighborhood who were tested at the same time for SIBO by glucose hydrogen breath testing. Data were analyzed by linear discriminant analysis effect size with SIBO as the outcome. Any selected genera were tested individually by Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test to ensure that linear discriminant analysis effect size results were not outlier-skewed. Results Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis identified Lactobacillus (linear discriminate analysis score, 4.59; P = .03) as over-represented in 15 out of the 90 children who were SIBO positive. Conclusions These results suggest that glucose hydrogen breath test positivity in children from low-income settings may be due to an upper intestinal Lactobacillus bloom, potentially explaining the association of SIBO with the gut damage and inflammation that leads to malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Donowitz
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Hardik I Parikh
- School of Medicine Research Computing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Mami Taniuchi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Carol A Gilchrist
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Rashidul Haque
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Beth D Kirkpatrick
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Vaccine Testing Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Masud Alam
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shahria Hafiz Kakon
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Bushra Zarin Islam
- James P. Grant School of Public Health, Brac University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sajia Afreen
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mamun Kabir
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Uma Nayak
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - E Ross Colgate
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Vaccine Testing Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Marya P Carmolli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Vaccine Testing Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - William A Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Mazanderani AH, Murray TY, Sherman GG, Snyman T, George J, Avenant T, Goga AE, Pepper MS, du Plessis N. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor levels among HIV-exposed uninfected infants at the time of HIV PCR testing - findings from a tertiary healthcare facility in Pretoria, South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25284. [PMID: 31215757 PMCID: PMC6582367 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To date, very little programmatic data has been published regarding serial antiretroviral (ARV) levels in infants exposed to maternal treatment and/or infant prophylaxis during the first months of life. Such data provide the opportunity to describe the proportion of infants exposed to virologically suppressive levels of ARVs and to gauge adherence to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme. METHODS From August 2014 to January 2016, HIV-exposed infants born at Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa were enrolled as part of an observational cohort study. Plasma samples from HIV-exposed uninfected infants were obtained at birth, 6-weeks, 10-weeks and 14-weeks of age and quantitative efavirenz (EFV) and nevirapine (NVP) drug level testing performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, irrespective of maternal ARV regimen. Descriptive analysis of EFV and NVP levels in relation to self-reported maternal and infant ARV exposure was performed. EFV levels >500 ng/mL and NVP levels >100 ng/mL were reported based on studies suggesting that trough levels above these thresholds are associated with virological suppression and PMTCT respectively. RESULTS Among 66 infants exposed to maternal EFVin utero, 29 (44%) had virologically suppressive plasma EFV levels at birth, with a median level of 1665 ng/mL (IQR: 1094 to 3673). Among infants who were exclusively breastfed at 6-, 10- and 14 weeks, 13/48 (27%), 5/25 (25%) and 0/21 (0%) had virologically suppressive EFV levels. Among 64 infants whose mothers reported administering daily infant NVP at time of their 6-week HIV PCR test, only 45 (70%) had NVP levels above the minimum prophylactic trough level. CONCLUSIONS During the first 10-weeks after delivery, a quarter of breastfed infants born to women on an EFV-containing treatment regimen maintained virologically suppressive EFV plasma levels. This finding highlights the importance of both careful monitoring of ARV side effects and repeat HIV PCR after the first few months of life among HIV-exposed uninfected infants. As 30% of infants had inadequate NVP plasma levels at 6-weeks of age, adherence counselling to caregivers regarding infant prophylaxis needs to be enhanced to further reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani
- Centre for HIV & STIsNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesNational Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Medical VirologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Tanya Y Murray
- Centre for HIV & STIsNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesNational Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Paediatric HIV DiagnosticsWits Health ConsortiumJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Gayle G Sherman
- Centre for HIV & STIsNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesNational Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Paediatric HIV DiagnosticsWits Health ConsortiumJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Paediatrics & Child HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Tracy Snyman
- Department of Chemical PathologyNational Health Laboratory Service and University of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Jaya George
- Department of Chemical PathologyNational Health Laboratory Service and University of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Theunis Avenant
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases DivisionDepartment of PaediatricsKalafong Provincial Tertiary HospitalPretoriaSouth Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Ameena E Goga
- Department of Paediatrics and Child HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
- Health Systems Research UnitSouth African Medical Research CouncilCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular MedicineDepartment of ImmunologySAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and TherapyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Nicolette du Plessis
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases DivisionDepartment of PaediatricsKalafong Provincial Tertiary HospitalPretoriaSouth Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
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Mark H, Been JV, Sonko B, Faal A, Ngum M, Hasan J, Prentice AM, Unger SA. Nutritional status and disease severity in children acutely presenting to a primary health clinic in rural Gambia. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:668. [PMID: 31146716 PMCID: PMC6543667 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6959-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate and timely data on the health of a population are key for evidence-based decision making at both the policy and programmatic level. In many low-income settings, such data are unavailable or outdated. Using an electronic medical records system, we determined the association between nutritional status and severe illness and mortality among young children presenting to a rural primary health care facility in the Gambia. METHODS Clinical data collected over five years (2010-2014) on children aged under 60 months making acute visits to a primary health care clinic in the rural Gambian district of Kiang West were retrospectively extracted from the medical records system. Generalised estimating equation models were used to investigate associations between nutritional status and illness severity, accounting for repeat visits, gender, age and access to transport to the clinic. The Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) was used to determine the proportion of severe illness likely attributable to different grades of malnutrition. RESULTS 3839/5021 (77%) children under 60 months of age living in Kiang West presented acutely to the clinic at least once, yielding 21,278 visits (47% girls, median age 20.2 months (Interquartile Range (IQR) 23.92 months)) and 26,001 diagnoses, 86% being infectious diseases. Severe illness was seen in 4.5% of visits (961/21,278). Wasting was associated with an increased risk of severe illness in a dose-dependent manner, ('WHZ < -1' adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.68, 95% CI:1.43-1.98, p < 0.001, 'WHZ <-2 and ≥-3' aOR 2.78, 95% CI:2.31-3.36, p < 0.001 and 'WHZ < -3' aOR 7.82, 95% CI:6.40-9.55, p < 0.001) the PAF for wasting (WHZ < -2) was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.18-0.24). Stunting, even in the most severe form (HAZ < -3), was not significantly associated with severe illness (aOR 1.19 95% CI:0.94-1.51) but was associated with a significantly increased risk of death (aOR 6.04 95% CI:1.94-18.78). CONCLUSION In this population-based cohort of young children in rural Gambia, wasting was associated with disease severity in a dose-dependent manner. Further research is needed into strategies to identify and reach these children with effective interventions to improve their nutritional status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Mark
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Jasper V. Been
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC – Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bakary Sonko
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Abdoulie Faal
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Mohammed Ngum
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Jahid Hasan
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Andrew M. Prentice
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
- MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Stefan A. Unger
- MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
- MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
- Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, 20 Sylvan Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1UW UK
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McLain AC, Frongillo EA, Hess SY, Piwoz EG. Comparison of Methods Used to Estimate the Global Burden of Disease Related to Undernutrition and Suboptimal Breastfeeding. Adv Nutr 2019; 10:380-390. [PMID: 31093650 PMCID: PMC6520033 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmy094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) is an ambitious effort to estimate the disease burden attributable to various risk factors. The results from the GBD are used around the world to monitor the UN established Sustainable Development Goals, set health policies and research strategies, among others. The GBD along with other studies, such as those from the Maternal Child Epidemiology Estimation Group and the Lancet Breastfeeding Series Group, produce estimates of the nutrition-related global burden of disease that exhibit considerable differences. These differences are difficult to reconcile due to the estimation methods, which in recent years have substantially increased in complexity. In this paper, we give a detailed review of the methods used by GBD and other entities to estimate the global burden of disease that is attributable to undernutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding. Further, we compare the methods to determine causes for differences in estimates. We find that the main determinant of differences in estimates is what causes of death are linked to each risk factor. Methods used to estimate nutrition-related disease burden need to be more clearly documented to foster discussion and collaboration on the important assumptions required to produce estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - Sonja Y Hess
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA
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210
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Khalil IA, Troeger C, Rao PC, Blacker BF, Brown A, Brewer TG, Colombara DV, De Hostos EL, Engmann C, Guerrant RL, Haque R, Houpt ER, Kang G, Korpe PS, Kotloff KL, Lima AAM, Petri WA, Platts-Mills JA, Shoultz DA, Forouzanfar MH, Hay SI, Reiner RC, Mokdad AH. Morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences associated with diarrhoea from Cryptosporidium infection in children younger than 5 years: a meta-analyses study. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2019; 6:e758-e768. [PMID: 29903377 PMCID: PMC6005120 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The protozoan Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhoea morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years. However, the true global burden of Cryptosporidium infection in children younger than 5 years might have been underestimated in previous quantifications because it only took account of the acute effects of diarrhoea. We aimed to demonstrate whether there is a causal relation between Cryptosporidium and childhood growth and, if so, to quantify the associated additional burden. Methods The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors study (GBD) 2016 was a systematic and scientific effort to quantify the morbidity and mortality associated with more than 300 causes of death and disability, including diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium infection. We supplemented estimates on the burden of Cryptosporidium in GBD 2016 with findings from a systematic review of published and unpublished cohort studies and a meta-analysis of the effect of childhood diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium infection on physical growth. Findings In 2016, Cryptosporidium infection was the fifth leading diarrhoeal aetiology in children younger than 5 years, and acute infection caused more than 48 000 deaths (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24 600–81 900) and more than 4·2 million disability-adjusted life-years lost (95% UI 2·2 million–7·2 million). We identified seven data sources from the scientific literature and six individual-level data sources describing the relation between Cryptosporidium and childhood growth. Each episode of diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium infection was associated with a decrease in height-for-age Z score (0·049, 95% CI 0·014–0·080), weight-for-age Z score (0·095, 0·055–0·134), and weight-for-height Z score (0·126, 0·057–0·194). We estimated that diarrhoea from Cryptosporidium infection caused an additional 7·85 million disability-adjusted life-years (95% UI 5·42 million–10·11 million) after we accounted for its effect on growth faltering—153% more than that estimated from acute effects alone. Interpretation Our findings show that the substantial short-term burden of diarrhoea from Cryptosporidium infection on childhood growth and wellbeing is an underestimate of the true burden. Interventions designed to prevent and effectively treat infection in children younger than 5 years will have enormous public health and social development impacts. Funding The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Khalil
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christopher Troeger
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Puja C Rao
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brigette F Blacker
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexandria Brown
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas G Brewer
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Danny V Colombara
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Cyril Engmann
- PATH, Seattle, WA, USA; School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard L Guerrant
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Eric R Houpt
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Poonum S Korpe
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Karen L Kotloff
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development, Institute for Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aldo A M Lima
- Center for Global Health, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - William A Petri
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - James A Platts-Mills
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Simon I Hay
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert C Reiner
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ali H Mokdad
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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211
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Ruel-Bergeron JC, Hurley KM, Kang Y, Aburto N, Farhikhtah A, Dinucci A, Molinas L, Lee Shu Fune W, Mitra M, Phuka J, Klemm R, West K, Christian P. Monitoring and evaluation design of Malawi's Right Foods at the Right Time nutrition program. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2019; 73:1-9. [PMID: 30453182 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Child stunting is a public health problem in Malawi. In 2014, the Government of Malawi launched the Right Foods at the Right Time (RFRT) program in Ntchisi district delivering nutrition social and behavior change communication, a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement to children 6-23 months, and nutrition sensitive activities. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are key aspects of successful program implementation. We describe these and the methodology for an impact evaluation that was conducted for this program. Two monitoring systems using traditional and electronic platforms were established to register and track program delivery and processes including number of eligible beneficiaries, worker performance, program participation, and to monitor input, output, and outcome indicators. The impact evaluation used comparative cross-sectional and longitudinal designs to assess impact on anthropometric and infant and young child feeding outcomes. Three cross-sectional surveys (base-, mid-, and end-line) and two longitudinal cohorts of children followed in 6-month intervals from 6 to 24 months of age, were conducted in sampled households in the program and a neighboring comparison district. Additional M&E included qualitative studies, a process evaluation, and a cost-effectiveness study. The current paper describes lessons from this program's M&E, and demonstrates how multiple implementation research activities can inform course-correction and program scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Ruel-Bergeron
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kristen M Hurley
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Yunhee Kang
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nancy Aburto
- United Nations World Food Programme, Nutrition Division, Via Cesare Guilio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome, 00148, Italy
| | - Arghanoon Farhikhtah
- United Nations World Food Programme, Nutrition Division, Via Cesare Guilio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome, 00148, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dinucci
- United Nations World Food Programme, Nutrition Division, Via Cesare Guilio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome, 00148, Italy
| | - Luca Molinas
- United Nations World Food Programme, Nutrition Division, Via Cesare Guilio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome, 00148, Italy
| | - Wu Lee Shu Fune
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Maithilee Mitra
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - John Phuka
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Rolf Klemm
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Helen Keller International, 352 Park Avenue South, 12th floor, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Keith West
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Parul Christian
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Program in Human Nutrition, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Women's Nutrition, 500 Fifth Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
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212
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Socioeconomic inequality in stunting among under-5 children in Ethiopia: a decomposition analysis. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:184. [PMID: 30922416 PMCID: PMC6440115 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Ethiopia bears a high stunting burden. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the socioeconomic inequalities of stunting in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the degree of socioeconomic inequality in stunting and decompose it to the social determinants of stunting. We used a nationally representative sample of 8855 children, aged below 5 years, from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey, conducted in 2016. Subjects were recruited following a two-stage cluster sampling. The socioeconomic status was measured by the household wealth index, categorized into quantiles. The inequality in stunting between the poorest and the richest socioeconomic groups was decomposed into its contributing social factors following the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition approach. Result The overall prevalence of stunting was 38%, with a significant pro-poor socioeconomic inequality. The prevalence of stunting among the poorest and the richest socioeconomic categories was 45.1% and 26.9%, respectively. Caregivers education status was the main contributor, accounting alone for 33% of the socioeconomic inequality in stunting, followed by region of residence (11%) and birth size (6%). Equity sensitive interventions, which prioritize the vulnerable groups might help to narrow the socioeconomic inequality as well as fasten the progress towards the goal of stunting reduction.
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213
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Wong B, Radin M. Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Package of Early Childhood Interventions to Improve Nutrition in Haiti. JOURNAL OF BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS 2019; 10:154-184. [PMID: 32968617 PMCID: PMC7473066 DOI: 10.1017/bca.2019.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We conduct a benefit-cost analysis of a package of early childhood interventions that can improve nutrition outcomes in Haiti. Using the Lives Saved Tool, we expect that this package can prevent approximately 55,000 cases of child stunting, 7,600 low-weight births and 28,000 cases of maternal anemia annually, if coverage reaches 90% of the target population. In addition, we expect these nutrition improvements will avoid 1,830 under-five deaths, 80 maternal deaths and 900,000 episodes of child illness every year. Those who avoid stunting will experience lifetime productivity benefits equivalent to five times gross national income per capita in present value terms, at a 5% discount rate. While previous benefit-cost analyses of this specific package have only estimated the lifetime productivity benefits of avoided stunting, this paper also accounts for reductions in fatal and non-fatal health risks. In the base case scenario, the annualized net benefits of the intervention equal Haitian gourdes 13.4 billion (USD 211 million) and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is 5.2. Despite these substantial benefits, the package may not be the most efficient use of a marginal dollar, with alternative interventions to improve human capital yielding BCRs approximately three to four times higher than the base estimate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Radin
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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214
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Abstract
Parasitic infections of the gut have major implications for child health, but many questions remain unanswered. Protozoal parasites, especially cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, cause diarrhoea and contribute to impaired growth, neurocognitive development and mortality. Entamoeba histolytica causes dysentery and may have more subtle effects on child growth. Helminth infections are mostly asymptomatic, and untargeted mass deworming has not been shown to be beneficial. However, children with heavy infections certainly benefit from antihelminthic treatment. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is a neglected problem on a massive scale, which causes portal hypertension and lifelong morbidity in individuals who get infected in childhood. Neurocysticercosis causes epilepsy and is a significant consequence of taeniasis solium, another neglected disease which is entirely preventable. Parasitic infections of the gut contribute to child health problems on a large scale. Fresh approaches are needed to prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapula Chifunda
- a Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition group , University of Zambia School of Medicine , Lusaka , Zambia
| | - Paul Kelly
- a Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition group , University of Zambia School of Medicine , Lusaka , Zambia.,b Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine , Queen Mary University of London , London , UK
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215
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Rogers E, Guerrero S, Kumar D, Soofi S, Fazal S, Martínez K, Morán JLA, Puett C. Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition by lady health workers as compared to an outpatient therapeutic feeding programme in Sindh Province, Pakistan. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:84. [PMID: 30654780 PMCID: PMC6337795 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6382-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the limited evidence of the cost-effectiveness of Community Health Workers (CHW) delivering treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), there is a need to better understand the costs incurred by both implementing institutions and beneficiary households. This study assessed the costs and cost-effectiveness of treatment for cases of SAM without complications delivered by government-employed Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and complemented with non-governmental organisation (NGO) delivered outpatient facility-based care compared with NGO delivered outpatient facility-based care only alongside a two-arm randomised controlled trial conducted in Sindh Province, Pakistan. METHODS An activity-based cost model was used, employing a societal perspective to include costs incurred by beneficiaries and the wider community. Costs were estimated through accounting records, interviews and informal group discussions. Cost-effectiveness was assessed for each arm relative to no intervention, and incrementally between the two interventions, providing information on both absolute and relative costs and effects. RESULTS The cost per child recovered in outpatient facility-based care was similar to LHW-delivered care, at 363 USD and 382 USD respectively. An additional 146 USD was spent per additional child recovered by outpatient facilities compared to LHWs. Results of sensitivity analyses indicated considerable uncertainty in which strategy was most cost-effective due to small differences in cost and recovery rates between arms. The cost to the beneficiary household of outpatient facility-based care was double that of LHW-delivered care. CONCLUSIONS Outpatient facility-based care was found to be slightly more cost-effective compared to LHW-delivered care, despite the potential for cost-effectiveness of CHWs managing SAM being demonstrated in other settings. The similarity of cost-effectiveness outcomes between the two models resulted in uncertainty as to which strategy was the most cost-effective. Similarity of costs and effectiveness between models suggests that whether it is appropriate to engage LHWs in substituting or complementing outpatient facilities may depend on population needs, including coverage and accessibility of existing services, rather than be purely a consideration of cost. Future research should assess the cost-effectiveness of LHW-delivered care when delivered solely by the government. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03043352 , ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Rogers
- Action Against Hunger UK, 161-163 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 0JA UK
| | - Saul Guerrero
- Action Against Hunger USA, One Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004 USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Action Against Hunger Pakistan, 3rd Floor, 65 West Executive Heights, Fazal E Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Soofi
- Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P. O. Box 3500, Karachi, 74800 Pakistan
| | - Shahid Fazal
- Action Against Hunger Pakistan, 3rd Floor, 65 West Executive Heights, Fazal E Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Karen Martínez
- Action Against Hunger USA, One Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004 USA
| | | | - Chloe Puett
- Action Against Hunger USA, One Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004 USA
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216
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Bendabenda J, Patson N, Hallamaa L, Mbotwa J, Mangani C, Phuka J, Prado EL, Cheung YB, Ashorn U, Dewey KG, Ashorn P, Maleta K. The association of malaria morbidity with linear growth, hemoglobin, iron status, and development in young Malawian children: a prospective cohort study. BMC Pediatr 2018; 18:396. [PMID: 30593271 PMCID: PMC6309082 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-018-1378-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although poor complementary feeding is associated with poor child growth, nutrition interventions only have modest impact on child growth, due to high burden of infections. We aimed to assess the association of malaria with linear growth, hemoglobin, iron status, and development in children aged 6–18 months in a setting of high malaria and undernutrition prevalence. Methods Prospective cohort study, conducted in Mangochi district, Malawi. We enrolled six-months-old infants and collected weekly data for ‘presumed’ malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections (ARI) until age 18 months. Change in length-for-age z-scores (LAZ), stunting, hemoglobin, iron status, and development were assessed at age 18 months. We used ordinary least squares regression for continuous outcomes and modified Poisson regression for categorical outcomes. Results Of the 2723 children enrolled, 2016 (74.0%) had complete measurements. The mean (standard deviation) incidences of ‘presumed’ malaria, diarrhea, and ARI, respectively were: 1.4 (2.0), 4.6 (10.1), and 8.3 (5.0) episodes/child year. Prevalence of stunting increased from 27.4 to 41.5% from 6 to 18 months. ‘Presumed’ malaria incidence was associated with higher risk of stunting (risk ratio [RR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.07, p = 0.023), anemia (RR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00 to 1.04, p = 0.014) and better socio-emotional scores (B = − 0.21, 95%CI = − 0.39 to − 0.03, p = 0.041), but not with change in LAZ, haemoglobin, iron status or other developmental outcomes. Diarrhea incidence was associated with change in LAZ (B = − 0.02; 95% CI = − 0.03 to − 0.01; p = 0.009), stunting (RR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.03; p = 0.005), and slower motor development. ARI incidence was not associated with any outcome except for poorer socio-emotional scores. Conclusion In this population of young children living in a malaria-endemic setting, with active surveillance and treatment, ‘presumed’ malaria is not associated with change in LAZ, hemoglobin, or iron status, but could be associated with stunting and anemia. Diarrhea was more consistently associated with growth than was malaria or ARI. The findings may be different in contexts where active malaria surveillance and treatment is not provided. Trial registration NCT00945698 (July 24, 2009) and NCT01239693 (November 11, 2010).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaden Bendabenda
- College of Medicine, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Malawi, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi. .,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Noel Patson
- College of Medicine, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Malawi, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lotta Hallamaa
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - John Mbotwa
- Department of Applied Studies, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo, Malawi.,Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Charles Mangani
- College of Medicine, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Malawi, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - John Phuka
- College of Medicine, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Malawi, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Elizabeth L Prado
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yin Bun Cheung
- Program in Health Services and Systems Research and Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ulla Ashorn
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kathryn G Dewey
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Per Ashorn
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kenneth Maleta
- College of Medicine, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Malawi, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
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217
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Evaluating interventions to improve child nutrition in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Public Health Nutr 2018; 22:3-14. [PMID: 30520406 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980018002859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The prevention of malnutrition in children under two approach (PM2A), women's empowerment and agricultural interventions have not been widely evaluated in relation to child diet and nutrition outcomes. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of PM2A, women's empowerment groups (WEG), farmer field schools (FFS) and farmer-to-farmer training (F2F). DESIGN Community-matched quasi-experimental design; outcome measures included children's dietary diversity, stunting and underweight. SETTING Communities in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ParticipantsA total of 1312 children from 1113 households. RESULTS Achievement of minimum dietary diversity ranged from 22·9 to 39·7 % and was significantly greater in the PM2A and FFS groups (P<0·05 for both comparisons). Fewer than 7·6 and 5·8 % of children in any group met minimum meal frequency and acceptable diet targets; only the PM2A group differed significantly from controls (P<0·05 for both comparisons). The endline stunting prevalence ranged from 54·7 % (PM2A) to 69·1 % (F2F) and underweight prevalence from 22·3 % (FFS) to 34·4 % (F2F). No significant differences were found between intervention groups and controls for nutrition measures; however, lower prevalences of stunting (PM2A, -4 %) and underweight (PM2A and FFS, -7 %) suggest potential impact on nutrition outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Children in the PM2A and FFS groups had better child diet measures and nutrition outcomes with the best results among PM2A beneficiaries. Interventions that address multiple aspects nutrition education, health, ration provision and income generation may be more effective in improving child diet and nutrition in resource-poor settings than stand-alone approaches.
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218
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Improving screening for malnourished children at high risk of death: a study of children aged 6-59 months in rural Senegal. Public Health Nutr 2018; 22:862-871. [PMID: 30501655 PMCID: PMC6521791 DOI: 10.1017/s136898001800318x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate whether children with concurrent wasting and stunting require therapeutic feeding and to better understand whether multiple diagnostic criteria are needed to identify children with a high risk of death and in need of treatment. Design Community-based cohort study, following 5751 children through time. Each child was visited up to four times at 6-month intervals. Anthropometric measurements were taken at each visit. Survival was monitored using a demographic surveillance system operating in the study villages. Setting Niakhar, a rural area of the Fatick region of central Senegal. Participants Children aged 6–59 months living in thirty villages in the study area. Results Weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were independently associated with near-term mortality. The lowest WAZ threshold that, in combination with MUAC, detected all deaths associated with severe wasting or concurrent wasting and stunting was WAZ <−2·8. Performance for detecting deaths was best when only WAZ and MUAC were used. Additional criteria did not improve performance. Risk ratios for near-term death in children identified using WAZ and MUAC suggest that children identified by WAZ <−2·8 but with MUAC≥115 mm may require lower-intensity treatment than children identified using MUAC <115 mm. Conclusions A combination of MUAC and WAZ detected all near-term deaths associated with severe anthropometric deficits including concurrent wasting and stunting. Therapeutic feeding programmes may achieve higher impact if WAZ and MUAC admission criteria are used.
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219
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Khatun W, Alam A, Rasheed S, Huda TM, Dibley MJ. Exploring the intergenerational effects of undernutrition: association of maternal height with neonatal, infant and under-five mortality in Bangladesh. BMJ Glob Health 2018; 3:e000881. [PMID: 30498585 PMCID: PMC6254740 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Global or regional evidence showed maternal height as a strong predictor of child survival. However, there is limited information that confirms the intergenerational effect of short maternal height on the risk of offspring mortality in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association of maternal height with neonatal, infant and under-five mortality in Bangladesh. Methods It was a pooled analysis of data from four rounds of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014. We included singleton children aged 0-59 months born to mothers aged 15-49 years (n = 29 698). Mothers were interviewed to collect data on maternal and child characteristics, and socio-demographic information. Maternal height was measured using an adjustable measuring board calibrated in millimetres. We used STATA V.14.2 and adjusted for the cluster sampling design. Multivariate 'Modified Poisson Regression' was performed using stepwise backward elimination procedures to examine the association between maternal height and child death. Results In the adjusted model, every 1 cm increase maternal height was associated with a reduced risk of neonatal mortality (relative risk (RR) = 0.973, 95% CI 0.960 to 0.986), infant mortality (RR = 0.980, 95% CI 0.969 to 0.991) and under-five mortality (RR = 0.982, 95% CI 0.972 to 0.992). Children of the shortest mothers (height<145 cm) had 1.73 times greater risk of neonatal mortality, about 1.60 times greater risk of infant mortality and 1.48 times greater risk of under-five mortality compared with those of tall mothers (height≥155 cm). Among the children of the shortest mothers (height<145 cm), the absolute probabilities for neonatal, infant and under-five mortality were 4.4%, 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively, while for the children of the tall mothers (height≥ 155 cm), the absolute probabilities for neonatal, infant and under-five mortality were 2.6%, 3.7 %, and 4.4%, respectively. Conclusion These findings suggest a robust intergenerational linkage between short maternal height and the risk of neonatal, infant and under-five mortally in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajiha Khatun
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashraful Alam
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tanvir M Huda
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael J Dibley
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Troeger C, Blacker B, Khalil IA, Rao PC, Cao J, Zimsen SRM, Albertson SB, Deshpande A, Farag T, Abebe Z, Adetifa IMO, Adhikari TB, Akibu M, Al Lami FH, Al-Eyadhy A, Alvis-Guzman N, Amare AT, Amoako YA, Antonio CAT, Aremu O, Asfaw ET, Asgedom SW, Atey TM, Attia EF, Avokpaho EFGA, Ayele HT, Ayuk TB, Balakrishnan K, Barac A, Bassat Q, Behzadifar M, Behzadifar M, Bhaumik S, Bhutta ZA, Bijani A, Brauer M, Brown A, Camargos PAM, Castañeda-Orjuela CA, Colombara D, Conti S, Dadi AF, Dandona L, Dandona R, Do HP, Dubljanin E, Edessa D, Elkout H, Endries AY, Fijabi DO, Foreman KJ, Forouzanfar MH, Fullman N, Garcia-Basteiro AL, Gessner BD, Gething PW, Gupta R, Gupta T, Hailu GB, Hassen HY, Hedayati MT, Heidari M, Hibstu DT, Horita N, Ilesanmi OS, Jakovljevic MB, Jamal AA, Kahsay A, Kasaeian A, Kassa DH, Khader YS, Khan EA, Khan MN, Khang YH, Kim YJ, Kissoon N, Knibbs LD, Kochhar S, Koul PA, Kumar GA, Lodha R, Magdy Abd El Razek H, Malta DC, Mathew JL, Mengistu DT, Mezgebe HB, Mohammad KA, Mohammed MA, Momeniha F, Murthy S, Nguyen CT, Nielsen KR, Ningrum DNA, Nirayo YL, Oren E, Ortiz JR, PA M, Postma MJ, Qorbani M, Quansah R, Rai RK, Rana SM, Ranabhat CL, Ray SE, Rezai MS, Ruhago GM, Safiri S, Salomon JA, Sartorius B, Savic M, Sawhney M, She J, Sheikh A, Shiferaw MS, Shigematsu M, Singh JA, Somayaji R, Stanaway JD, Sufiyan MB, Taffere GR, Temsah MH, Thompson MJ, Tobe-Gai R, Topor-Madry R, Tran BX, Tran TT, Tuem KB, Ukwaja KN, Vollset SE, Walson JL, Weldegebreal F, Werdecker A, West TE, Yonemoto N, Zaki MES, Zhou L, Zodpey S, Vos T, Naghavi M, Lim SS, Mokdad AH, Murray CJL, Hay SI, Reiner RC. Estimates of the global, regional, and national morbidity, mortality, and aetiologies of lower respiratory infections in 195 countries, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 18:1191-1210. [PMID: 30243584 PMCID: PMC6202443 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30310-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 936] [Impact Index Per Article: 156.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016, provides an up-to-date analysis of the burden of lower respiratory infections in 195 countries. This study assesses cases, deaths, and aetiologies spanning the past 26 years and shows how the burden of lower respiratory infection has changed in people of all ages. METHODS We used three separate modelling strategies for lower respiratory infections in GBD 2016: a Bayesian hierarchical ensemble modelling platform (Cause of Death Ensemble model), which uses vital registration, verbal autopsy data, and surveillance system data to predict mortality due to lower respiratory infections; a compartmental meta-regression tool (DisMod-MR), which uses scientific literature, population representative surveys, and health-care data to predict incidence, prevalence, and mortality; and modelling of counterfactual estimates of the population attributable fraction of lower respiratory infection episodes due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. We calculated each modelled estimate for each age, sex, year, and location. We modelled the exposure level in a population for a given risk factor using DisMod-MR and a spatio-temporal Gaussian process regression, and assessed the effectiveness of targeted interventions for each risk factor in children younger than 5 years. We also did a decomposition analysis of the change in LRI deaths from 2000-16 using the risk factors associated with LRI in GBD 2016. FINDINGS In 2016, lower respiratory infections caused 652 572 deaths (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 586 475-720 612) in children younger than 5 years (under-5s), 1 080 958 deaths (943 749-1 170 638) in adults older than 70 years, and 2 377 697 deaths (2 145 584-2 512 809) in people of all ages, worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading cause of lower respiratory infection morbidity and mortality globally, contributing to more deaths than all other aetiologies combined in 2016 (1 189 937 deaths, 95% UI 690 445-1 770 660). Childhood wasting remains the leading risk factor for lower respiratory infection mortality among children younger than 5 years, responsible for 61·4% of lower respiratory infection deaths in 2016 (95% UI 45·7-69·6). Interventions to improve wasting, household air pollution, ambient particulate matter pollution, and expanded antibiotic use could avert one under-5 death due to lower respiratory infection for every 4000 children treated in the countries with the highest lower respiratory infection burden. INTERPRETATION Our findings show substantial progress in the reduction of lower respiratory infection burden, but this progress has not been equal across locations, has been driven by decreases in several primary risk factors, and might require more effort among elderly adults. By highlighting regions and populations with the highest burden, and the risk factors that could have the greatest effect, funders, policy makers, and programme implementers can more effectively reduce lower respiratory infections among the world's most susceptible populations. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Willaert RG. Adhesins of Yeasts: Protein Structure and Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4040119. [PMID: 30373267 PMCID: PMC6308950 DOI: 10.3390/jof4040119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of yeast cells to adhere to other cells or substrates is crucial for many yeasts. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can switch from a unicellular lifestyle to a multicellular one. A crucial step in multicellular lifestyle adaptation is self-recognition, self-interaction, and adhesion to abiotic surfaces. Infectious yeast diseases such as candidiasis are initiated by the adhesion of the yeast cells to host cells. Adhesion is accomplished by adhesin proteins that are attached to the cell wall and stick out to interact with other cells or substrates. Protein structures give detailed insights into the molecular mechanism of adhesin-ligand interaction. Currently, only the structures of a very limited number of N-terminal adhesion domains of adhesins have been solved. Therefore, this review focuses on these adhesin protein families. The protein architectures, protein structures, and ligand interactions of the flocculation protein family of S. cerevisiae; the epithelial adhesion family of C. glabrata; and the agglutinin-like sequence protein family of C. albicans are reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie G Willaert
- Alliance Research Group VUB-UGent NanoMicrobiology (NAMI), IJRG VUB-EPFL NanoBiotechnology & NanoMedicine (NANO), Research Group Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
- Department Bioscience Engineering, University Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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Rogawski ET, Liu J, Platts-Mills JA, Kabir F, Lertsethtakarn P, Siguas M, Khan SS, Praharaj I, Murei A, Nshama R, Mujaga B, Havt A, Maciel IA, Operario DJ, Taniuchi M, Gratz J, Stroup SE, Roberts JH, Kalam A, Aziz F, Qureshi S, Islam MO, Sakpaisal P, Silapong S, Yori PP, Rajendiran R, Benny B, McGrath M, Seidman JC, Lang D, Gottlieb M, Guerrant RL, Lima AAM, Leite JP, Samie A, Bessong PO, Page N, Bodhidatta L, Mason C, Shrestha S, Kiwelu I, Mduma ER, Iqbal NT, Bhutta ZA, Ahmed T, Haque R, Kang G, Kosek MN, Houpt ER. Use of quantitative molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the effect of enteropathogen infections on linear growth in children in low-resource settings: longitudinal analysis of results from the MAL-ED cohort study. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018; 6:e1319-e1328. [PMID: 30287125 PMCID: PMC6227248 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30351-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enteropathogen infections in early childhood not only cause diarrhoea but contribute to poor growth. We used molecular diagnostics to assess whether particular enteropathogens were associated with linear growth across seven low-resource settings. METHODS We used quantitative PCR to detect 29 enteropathogens in diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal stools collected from children in the first 2 years of life obtained during the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) multisite cohort study. Length was measured monthly. We estimated associations between aetiology-specific diarrhoea and subclinical enteropathogen infection and quantity and attained length in 3 month intervals, at age 2 and 5 years, and used a longitudinal model to account for temporality and time-dependent confounding. FINDINGS Among 1469 children who completed 2 year follow-up, 35 622 stool samples were tested and yielded valid results. Diarrhoeal episodes attributed to bacteria and parasites, but not viruses, were associated with small decreases in length after 3 months and at age 2 years. Substantial decrements in length at 2 years were associated with subclinical, non-diarrhoeal, infection with Shigella (length-for-age Z score [LAZ] reduction -0·14, 95% CI -0·27 to -0·01), enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (-0·21, -0·37 to -0·05), Campylobacter (-0·17, -0·32 to -0·01), and Giardia (-0·17, -0·30 to -0·05). Norovirus, Cryptosporidium, typical enteropathogenic E coli, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were also associated with small decrements in LAZ. Shigella and E bieneusi were associated with the largest decreases in LAZ per log increase in quantity per g of stool (-0·13 LAZ, 95% CI -0·22 to -0·03 for Shigella; -0·14, -0·26 to -0·02 for E bieneusi). Based on these models, interventions that successfully decrease exposure to Shigella, enteroaggregative E coli, Campylobacter, and Giardia could increase mean length of children by 0·12-0·37 LAZ (0·4-1·2 cm) at the MAL-ED sites. INTERPRETATION Subclinical infection and quantity of pathogens, particularly Shigella, enteroaggregative E coli, Campylobacter, and Giardia, had a substantial negative association with linear growth, which was sustained during the first 2 years of life, and in some cases, to 5 years. Successfully reducing exposure to certain pathogens might reduce global stunting. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Rogawski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - James A Platts-Mills
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Shaila S Khan
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Buliga Mujaga
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Darwin J Operario
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mami Taniuchi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jean Gratz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Suzanne E Stroup
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - James H Roberts
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | - M Ohedul Islam
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Pimmada Sakpaisal
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasikorn Silapong
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pablo P Yori
- Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Iquitos, Peru; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Monica McGrath
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica C Seidman
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dennis Lang
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Gottlieb
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard L Guerrant
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Nicola Page
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ladaporn Bodhidatta
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carl Mason
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sanjaya Shrestha
- Walter Reed/AFRIMS Research Unit, Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal; University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ireen Kiwelu
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Margaret N Kosek
- Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Iquitos, Peru; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric R Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Madzorera I, Duggan C, Berthé F, Grais RF, Isanaka S. The role of dietary diversity in the response to treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition among children in Niger: a prospective study. BMC Nutr 2018; 4:35. [PMID: 32153896 PMCID: PMC7050850 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-018-0242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Community-based treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) has proven to be safe and cost-effective, although identifying additional factors that can increase recovery and decrease treatment failure may improve program effectiveness. We examine the association of dietary diversity and clinical and program treatment outcomes among children treated for uncomplicated SAM in Niger. Methods Two thousand four hundred twelve children were enrolled in a randomized trial of routine amoxicillin in the treatment of uncomplicated SAM from 2012 to 2014. All children received ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) and standard clinical care. Child dietary diversity was assessed using a 7-day food frequency questionnaire and 8-food group diet diversity score. We assessed the association of dietary diversity at admission with nutritional recovery, hospitalization, and death at program discharge and 12 weeks, and weight and height gain. Results Food groups most commonly consumed by children in seven days preceding SAM treatment were cereals, roots and tubers (N = 2364, 99.5%) and vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables (N = 2253, 94.8%). Egg (N = 472, 19.9%) and dairy (N = 659, 27.7%) consumption was low. Mean (SD) diet diversity score was significantly lower in the lean vs. non-lean season [2.7 (1.1) vs. 2.9 (1.0)]. There was no evidence that dietary diversity increased nutritional recovery at discharge (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.04) or 12 weeks (RR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.94, 1.02). No significant association was found with risk of hospitalization or death, or weight and height gain. Egg consumption was protective against death at discharge (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.70) and 12 weeks (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.96). Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetable consumption was associated with greater risk of mortality in children at discharge (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.56) and 12 weeks (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.36). Conclusions We did not find evidence that dietary diversity influenced nutrition recovery or response to treatment for children with uncomplicated SAM in Niger. It is feasible consumption of nutrient-dense foods like eggs may be important for recovery from SAM. There is need for continued research to further elucidate drivers of nutritional recovery from acute malnutrition in different settings. Trial registration Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01613547. Registered May 26, 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Madzorera
- 1Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Christopher Duggan
- 1Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA.,2Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | | | - Rebecca F Grais
- 4Department of Research, Epicentre, 8 rue Saint Sabin, 75011 Paris, France
| | - Sheila Isanaka
- 1Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA.,4Department of Research, Epicentre, 8 rue Saint Sabin, 75011 Paris, France.,5Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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Grellety E, Golden MH. Severely malnourished children with a low weight-for-height have a higher mortality than those with a low mid-upper-arm-circumference: III. Effect of case-load on malnutrition related mortality- policy implications. Nutr J 2018; 17:81. [PMID: 30217201 PMCID: PMC6138898 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-018-0382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is diagnosed when the weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) is <-3Z of the WHO2006 standards, or a mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) of < 115 mm or there is nutritional oedema. Although there has been a move to eliminate WHZ as a diagnostic criterion we have shown that children with a low WHZ have at least as high a mortality risk as those with a low MUAC. Here we take the estimated case fatality rates and published case-loads to estimate the proportion of total SAM related deaths occurring in children that would be excluded from treatment with a MUAC-only policy. METHODS The effect of varying case-load and mortality rates on the proportion of all deaths that would occur in admitted children was examined. We used the same calculations to estimate the proportion of all SAM-related deaths that would be excluded with a MUAC-only policy in 48 countries with very different relative case loads for SAM by only MUAC, only WHZ and children with both deficits. The case fatality rates (CFR) are taken from simulations, empirical data and the literature. RESULTS The relative number of cases of SAM by MUAC alone, WHZ alone and those with both criteria have a dominant effect on the proportion of all SAM-related deaths that would occur in children excluded from treatment by a MUAC-only program. Many countries, particularly in the Sahel, West Africa and South East Asia would fail to identify the majority of SAM-related deaths if a MUAC only program were to be implemented. Globally, the estimated minimum number of deaths that would occur among children excluded from treatment in our analyses is 300,000 annually. CONCLUSIONS The number, proportion or attributable fraction of children excluded from treatment with any change of current policy are the correct indicators to guide policy change. CRFs alone should not be used to guide policy in choosing whether or not to drop WHZ as a diagnostic for SAM. All the criteria for diagnosis of malnutrition need to be retained. It is critical that methods are found to identify those children with a low WHZ, but not a low MUAC, in the community so that they will not remain undetected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Grellety
- Research Center Health Policy and Systems - International Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Michael H. Golden
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Grellety E, Golden MH. Severely malnourished children with a low weight-for-height have a higher mortality than those with a low mid-upper-arm-circumference: I. Empirical data demonstrates Simpson's paradox. Nutr J 2018; 17:79. [PMID: 30217205 PMCID: PMC6138885 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-018-0384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to WHO childhood severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is diagnosed when the weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) is <-3Z of the WHO2006 standards, the mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) is < 115 mm, there is nutritional oedema or any combination of these parameters. Recently there has been a move to eliminate WHZ as a diagnostic criterion on the assertion that children meeting the WHZ criterion are healthy, that MUAC is universally a superior prognostic indicator of mortality and that adding WHZ to the assessment does not improve the prediction; these assertions have lead to a controversy concerning the role of WHZ in the diagnosis of SAM. METHODS We examined the mortality experience of 76,887 6-60 month old severely malnourished children admitted for treatment to in-patient, out-patient or supplementary feeding facilities in 18 African countries, of whom 3588 died. They were divided into 7 different diagnostic categories for analysis of mortality rates by comparison of case fatality rates, relative risk of death and meta-analysis of the difference between children admitted using MUAC and WHZ criteria. RESULTS The mortality rate was higher in those children fulfilling the WHO2006 WHZ criterion than the MUAC criterion. This was the case for younger as well as older children and in all regions except for marasmic children in East Africa. Those fulfilling both criteria had a higher mortality. Nutritional oedema increased the risk of death. Having oedema and a low WHZ dramatically increased the mortality rate whereas addition of the MUAC criterion to either oedema-alone or oedema plus a low WHZ did not further increase the mortality rate. The data were subject to extreme confounding giving Simpson's paradox, which reversed the apparent mortality rates when children fulfilling both WHZ and MUAC criteria were included in the estimation of the risk of death of those fulfilling either the WHZ or MUAC criteria alone. CONCLUSIONS Children with a low WHZ, but a MUAC above the SAM cut-off point are at high risk of death. Simpson's paradox due to confounding from oedema and mathematical coupling may make previous statistical analyses which failed to distinguish the diagnostic groups an unreliable guide to policy. WHZ needs to be retained as an independent criterion for diagnosis of SAM and methods found to identify those children with a low WHZ, but not a low MUAC, in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Grellety
- Research Center Health Policy and Systems - International Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Michael H. Golden
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Fabiansen C, Phelan KPQ, Cichon B, Yaméogo CW, Iuel-Brockdorff AS, Kurpad A, Wells JC, Ritz C, Filteau S, Briend A, Christensen VB, Michaelsen KF, Shepherd S, Friis H. Short Malnourished Children and Fat Accumulation With Food Supplementation. Pediatrics 2018; 142:peds.2018-0679. [PMID: 30143567 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-0679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In moderate acute malnutrition programs, it is common practice to not measure mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of children whose length is <67 cm. This is based on expert opinion that supplementation of shorter children with low MUAC and weight-for-height z score ≥-2 may increase risk of excessive fat accumulation. Our aim was to assess if shorter children gain more fat than taller children when treated for moderate acute malnutrition diagnosed by low MUAC alone. METHODS In this observational study, we included children aged 6 to 23 months with a MUAC between 115 and 125 mm and a weight-for-height z score ≥-2. On the basis of length at admission, children were categorized as short if <67 cm and long if ≥67 cm. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess body composition on the basis of deuterium dilution and skinfold thickness. RESULTS After 12 weeks of supplementation, there was no difference in change in fat mass index (-0.038 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.257 to 0.181, P = .74) or fat-free mass index (0.061 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.150 to 0.271, P = .57) in short versus long. In absolute terms, the short children gained both less fat-free mass (-230 g, 95% CI: -355 to -106, P < .001) and fat mass (-97 g, 95% CI: -205 to 10, P = .076). There was no difference in changes in absolute subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness and z scores (P > .5). CONCLUSIONS Short children with low MUAC do not gain excessive fat during supplementation. With these data, we support a recommendation for policy change to include all children ≥6 months with low MUAC in supplementary feeding programs, regardless of length. The use of length as a criterion for measuring MUAC to determine treatment eligibility should be discontinued in policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Fabiansen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; .,Médecins Sans Frontières, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Bernardette Cichon
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Médecins Sans Frontières, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charles W Yaméogo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Département Biomédical et Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Ann-Sophie Iuel-Brockdorff
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Médecins Sans Frontières, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anura Kurpad
- Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, Koramangala, Bangalore, India
| | - Jonathan C Wells
- Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Ritz
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Suzanne Filteau
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - André Briend
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Tampere Center for Child Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; and
| | - Vibeke B Christensen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Paediatrics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim F Michaelsen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susan Shepherd
- Alliance for International Medical Action, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Henrik Friis
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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227
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Humbwavali JB, Giugliani C, da Silva ICM, Duncan BB. Temporal trends in the nutritional status of women and children under five years of age in sub-Saharan African countries: ecological study. SAO PAULO MED J 2018; 136:454-463. [PMID: 30570097 PMCID: PMC9907765 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2017.0267261117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the global prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing, this pandemic has received less attention in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the light of the persistent undernutrition that exists in the context of maternal and child health. We aimed to describe obesity trends among women of childbearing age over recent decades, along with trends in over and undernutrition among children under five years of age, in sub-Saharan African countries. DESIGN AND SETTING Ecological study with temporal trend analysis in 13 sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS This was a description of temporal trends in nutritional status: adult obesity, childhood overweight, low height-for-age (stunting), low weight-for-height (wasting), low weight-for-age (underweight) and low birth weight. Publicly available data from repeated cross-sectional national surveys (demographic and health surveys and multiple-indicator cluster surveys) were used. We chose 13 sub-Saharan African countries from which at least four surveys conducted since 1993 were available. We investigated women aged 15-49 years and children under five years of age. RESULTS In multilevel linear models, the prevalence of obesity increased by an estimated 6 percentage points over 20 years among women of childbearing age, while the prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years old was stable. A major decrease in stunting and, to a lesser extent, wasting accompanied these findings. CONCLUSIONS The upward trend in obesity among women of childbearing age in the context of highly prevalent childhood undernutrition suggests that the focus of maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa needs to be expanded to consider not only nutritional deficiencies but also nutritional excess.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Baptista Humbwavali
- MSc. Nurse and Associate Professor, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Agostinho Neto (ISCS/UAN), Luanda, Angola.
| | - Camila Giugliani
- MD, PhD. Physician and Associate Professor, Postgraduate Program on Epidemiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
| | - Inácio Crochemore Mohnsam da Silva
- MSc, PhD. Physical Educator and Collaborating Professor, Center for Equity in Health, Postgraduate Program on Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas (RS), Brazil.
| | - Bruce Bartholow Duncan
- MSc, PhD. Physician and Professor, Postgraduate Program on Epidemiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
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228
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O’Sullivan NP, Lelijveld N, Rutishauser-Perera A, Kerac M, James P. Follow-up between 6 and 24 months after discharge from treatment for severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months: A systematic review. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202053. [PMID: 30161151 PMCID: PMC6116928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major global health problem affecting some 16.9 million children under five. Little is known about what happens to children 6-24 months post-discharge as this window often falls through the gap between studies on SFPs and those focusing on longer-term effects. METHODS A protocol was registered on PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2017:CRD42017065650). Embase, Global Health and MEDLINE In-Process and Non-Indexed Citations were systematically searched with terms related to SAM, nutritional intervention and follow-up between June and August 2017. Studies were selected if they included children who experienced an episode of SAM, received a therapeutic feeding intervention, were discharged as cured and presented any outcome from follow-up between 6-24 months later. RESULTS 3,691 articles were retrieved from the search, 55 full-texts were screened and seven met the inclusion criteria. Loss-to-follow-up, mortality, relapse, morbidity and anthropometry were outcomes reported. Between 0.0% and 45.1% of cohorts were lost-to-follow-up. Of those discharged as nutritionally cured, mortality ranged from 0.06% to 10.4% at an average of 12 months post-discharge. Relapse was inconsistently defined, measured, and reported, ranging from 0% to 6.3%. Two studies reported improved weight-for-height z-scores, whilst three studies that reported height-for-age z-scores found either limited or no improvement. CONCLUSIONS Overall, there is a scarcity of studies that follow-up children 6-24 months post-discharge from SAM treatment. Limited data that exists suggest that children may exhibit sustained vulnerability even after achieving nutritional cure, including heightened mortality and morbidity risk and persistent stunting. Prospective cohort studies assessing a wider range of outcomes in children post-SAM treatment are a priority, as are intervention studies exploring how to improve post-SAM outcomes and identify high-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Phillipa O’Sullivan
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, East Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Lelijveld
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Action Against Hunger, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marko Kerac
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health (MARCH), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip James
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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229
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Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation and Growth in Early Infancy are Associated with Stunting in Young Tanzanian Children. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10091158. [PMID: 30149537 PMCID: PMC6164697 DOI: 10.3390/nu10091158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stunting can afflict up to one-third of children in resource-constrained countries. We hypothesized that low-grade systemic inflammation (defined as elevations in serum C-reactive protein or alpha-1-acid glycoprotein) in infancy suppresses the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis and is associated with subsequent stunting. Blood samples of 590 children from periurban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were obtained at 6 weeks and 6 months of age as part of a randomized controlled trial. Primary outcomes were stunting, underweight, and wasting (defined as length-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-length z-scores < −2) between randomization and endline (18 months after randomization). Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of time to first stunting, underweight, and wasting as outcomes, with measures of systemic inflammation, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) as exposures, adjusting for numerous demographic and clinical variables. The incidences of subsequent stunting, underweight, and wasting were 26%, 20%, and 18%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, systemic inflammation at 6 weeks of age was significantly associated with stunting (HR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.72; p = 0.002). Children with higher levels of IGF-1 at 6 weeks were less likely to become stunted (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.93; p for trend = 0.019); a similar trend was noted in children with higher levels of IGF-1 at 6 months of age (HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.12; p for trend = 0.07). Systemic inflammation occurs as early as 6 weeks of age and is associated with the risk of future stunting among Tanzanian children.
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230
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Gupta A, Tielsch JM, Khatry SK, LeClerq SC, Mullany LC, Katz J. Ethnic and age differences in prediction of mortality by mid-upper arm circumference in children below 3 years of age in Nepal. Public Health Nutr 2018; 21:2230-2237. [PMID: 29667569 PMCID: PMC11106025 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980018000940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess ethnicity- and age-modified associations between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and mortality in Nepalese children and whether sociodemographic factors explain these associations. DESIGN Secondary data analysis of children followed until 3 years of age. Estimated mortality hazard ratios (HR) for MUAC<11·5cm (recommended cut-off for identifying severe acute malnutrition among children ≥6 months old) compared with ≥11·5cm in younger (<6 months) and older children (≥6 months) of Pahadi and Madhesi ethnicity, adjusting for sex, socio-economic status (SES) and mother's education using Cox proportional hazard models. SETTING Sarlahi, Nepal (21 October 2001-2 February 2006). SUBJECTS Children (n 48 492) enrolled in the Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi-4. RESULTS Among children aged ≥6 months, MUAC<11·5 cm was associated with increased risk of mortality in both Pahadis (HR=4·01; 95 % CI 1·42, 11·76) and Madhesis (HR=5·60; 95 % CI 3·87, 8·11) compared with those with MUAC≥11·5 cm, after adjusting for sex, SES and maternal literacy. Among children <6 months old, MUAC<11·5 cm was not associated with mortality in Pahadis with (HR=1·12; 95 % CI 0·72, 1·73) or without adjusting (HR=1·17; 95 % CI 0·75, 1·18) as compared with Madeshis (adjusted HR=1·76; 95 % CI 1·35, 2·28). CONCLUSIONS Among older children, MUAC<11·5 cm is associated with subsequent mortality in both ethnicities regardless of other characteristics. However, among children aged <6 months, it predicted mortality only among Madhesis, while sociodemographic factors were more strongly associated with mortality than MUAC<11·5cm among Pahadis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avni Gupta
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, One Brigham Circle, 1620 Tremont Street, 4-020, Boston, MA 02120, USA
| | - James M Tielsch
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Subarna K Khatry
- Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project – Sarlahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Steven C LeClerq
- Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project – Sarlahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke C Mullany
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joanne Katz
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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231
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Fahim SM, Das S, Sanin KI, Gazi MA, Mahfuz M, Islam MM, Ahmed T. Association of Fecal Markers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction with Zinc and Iron Status among Children at First Two Years of Life in Bangladesh. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 99:489-494. [PMID: 29893201 PMCID: PMC6090336 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) causes gut inflammation and increased intestinal permeability leading to deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc and iron. Fecal markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), neopterin (NEO), and alpha-1-anti-trypsin (AAT) can predict EED. The aim of this study was to examine the association between fecal markers of EED with zinc and iron status among children at first 2 years of life. Malnutrition and Enteric Disease Study Bangladeshi birth cohort data were used to conduct this analysis. Multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations were performed to test the association between individual fecal markers with zinc or iron status of the children. A total of 265 children were enrolled in the study (male:female = 1:1). Of the 627 stool samples collected (N = 222 children), 535, 511, and 577 were accompanied by zinc, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor values, respectively. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) values of AAT, MPO, and NEO were 0.33 (0.18-0.62) mg/g, 3,895.42 (1,563.76-8,432.82) ng/mL, and 890.81 (331.57-2,089.04) nmol/L, respectively. Overall, 60%, 71%, and 97% of samples were above the values considered normal in nontropical settings for AAT, MPO, and NEO, respectively. High AAT levels were significantly associated with low ferritin values after adjusting for age and gender (coefficient = -5.85; 95% confidence interval = -11.23 to -0.47; P value = 0.03). No such association was found between AAT and plasma zinc status. Myeloperoxidase and NEO were not associated with plasma zinc or iron status. The study results imply the importance of enteric protein loss in contributing to reduced ferritin levels at first 2 years of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shah Mohammad Fahim
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Subhasish Das
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kazi Istiaque Sanin
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Amran Gazi
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mustafa Mahfuz
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - M. Munirul Islam
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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232
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Myatt M, Khara T, Schoenbuchner S, Pietzsch S, Dolan C, Lelijveld N, Briend A. Children who are both wasted and stunted are also underweight and have a high risk of death: a descriptive epidemiology of multiple anthropometric deficits using data from 51 countries. Arch Public Health 2018; 76:28. [PMID: 30026945 PMCID: PMC6047117 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-018-0277-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wasting and stunting are common. They are implicated in the deaths of almost two million children each year and account for over 12% of disability-adjusted life years lost in young children. Wasting and stunting tend to be addressed as separate issues despite evidence of common causality and the fact that children may suffer simultaneously from both conditions (WaSt). Questions remain regarding the risks associated with WaSt, which children are most affected, and how best to reach them. METHODS A database of cross-sectional survey datasets containing data for almost 1.8 million children was compiled. This was analysed to determine the intersection between sets of wasted, stunted, and underweight children; the association between being wasted and being stunted; the severity of wasting and stunting in WaSt children; the prevalence of WaSt by age and sex, and to identify weight-for-age z-score and mid-upper arm circumference thresholds for detecting cases of WaSt. An additional analysis of the WHO Growth Standards sought the maximum possible weight-for-age z-score for WaSt children. RESULTS All children who were simultaneously wasted and stunted were also underweight. The maximum possible weight-for-age z-score in these children was below - 2.35. Low WHZ and low HAZ have a joint effect on WAZ which varies with age and sex. WaSt and "multiple anthropometric deficits" (i.e. being simultaneously wasted, stunted, and underweight) are identical conditions. The conditions of being wasted and being stunted are positively associated with each other. WaSt cases have more severe wasting than wasted only cases. WaSt cases have more severe stunting than stunted only cases. WaSt is largely a disease of younger children and of males. Cases of WaSt can be detected with excellent sensitivity and good specificity using weight-for-age. CONCLUSIONS The category "multiple anthropometric deficits" can be abandoned in favour of WaSt. Therapeutic feeding programs should cover WaSt cases given the high mortality risk associated with this condition. Work on treatment effectiveness, duration of treatment, and relapse after cure for WaSt cases should be undertaken. Routine reporting of the prevalence of WaSt should be encouraged. Further work on the aetiology, prevention, case-finding, and treatment of WaSt cases as well as the extent to which current interventions are reaching WaSt cases is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Myatt
- Brixton Health, Llawryglyn, Powys, Wales, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Natasha Lelijveld
- Department for Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- No Wasted Lives, Action Against Hunger UK, London, UK
| | - André Briend
- School of Medicine, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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233
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Berhanu G, Mekonnen S, Sisay M. Prevalence of stunting and associated factors among preschool children: A community based comparative cross sectional study in Ethiopia. BMC Nutr 2018; 4:28. [PMID: 32153889 PMCID: PMC7050938 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-018-0236-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of under nutrition is very high in developing countries especially in women and under five children. Stunting alone affected an estimated 154.8 million (22.9%) under five children globally in 2016. It is one of the main undernutrition and health problems facing children in Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stunting among preschool children from food secure and food insecure households in Albuko district, northeast Ethiopia. METHODS This study was addressed by a community based comparative cross sectional study design which was conducted among preschool children in Albuko district from March to April 2017. Simple random sampling was used to select the five representative kebeles. To reach study participants, systematic sampling technique was utilized. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Height measurement was collected for each child. Anthropometric indicator, height-for-age was determined for children using current WHO growth standards. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95 % confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the strength of the association. To identify the associated factors of stunting, multivariable logistic regression models were built. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The overall combined prevalence of stunting among preschool children in the study area was 39.3% [95%CI; 36.3, 42.3%]. A higher stunting prevalence was observed among preschool children from food insecure households [42.8%, 95%CI; 38.4, 47.2%] than food secure ones [35.9%, 95%CI; 31.7, 40.1%]. Having uneducated mothers, large family size, and male sex were common factors significantly associated with stunting in both food secure and insecure households. While child birth order and the amount of water (<40 litters) for use were significantly associated with stunting among preschool children living in food secure households, and lesser child age, lack of extra food during pregnancy/lactation, and low dietary diversity score (DDS below four food groups) were significantly associated with stunting among preschool children from food insecure households. CONCLUSION The present study showed that stunting is an important public health problem among preschool children from both food secure and insecure households in Albuko district. Though productive safety net program (PSNP) is a proven strategy in reducing the burden of childhood undernutrition/stunting, this study showed that there is no significant variation in the magnitude of stunting. However, it does not mean that PSNP interventions are not important in reducing the prevalence of stunting. Therefore, strengthening maternal nutrition, family planning utilization, and maternal education and enhancing dietary diversity, water sanitation and hygiene are critical interventions to reduce the level of stunting among under five children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getnet Berhanu
- Albuko district health office, South Wollo, Albuko, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Mekonnen
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mekonnen Sisay
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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234
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Troeger C, Colombara DV, Rao PC, Khalil IA, Brown A, Brewer TG, Guerrant RL, Houpt ER, Kotloff KL, Misra K, Petri WA, Platts-Mills J, Riddle MS, Swartz SJ, Forouzanfar MH, Reiner RC, Hay SI, Mokdad AH. Global disability-adjusted life-year estimates of long-term health burden and undernutrition attributable to diarrhoeal diseases in children younger than 5 years. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018; 6:e255-e269. [PMID: 29433665 PMCID: PMC5861379 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death and illness globally among children younger than 5 years. Mortality and short-term morbidity cause substantial burden of disease but probably underestimate the true effect of diarrhoea on population health. This underestimation is because diarrhoeal diseases can negatively affect early childhood growth, probably through enteric dysfunction and impaired uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients. We attempt to quantify the long-term sequelae associated with childhood growth impairment due to diarrhoea. Methods We used the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study framework and leveraged existing estimates of diarrhoea incidence, childhood undernutrition, and infectious disease burden to estimate the effect of diarrhoeal diseases on physical growth, including weight and height, and subsequent disease among children younger than 5 years. The burden of diarrhoea was measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), a composite metric of mortality and morbidity. We hypothesised that diarrhoea is negatively associated with three common markers of growth: weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and height-for-age Z-scores. On the basis of these undernutrition exposures, we applied a counterfactual approach to quantify the relative risk of infectious disease (subsequent diarrhoea, lower respiratory infection, and measles) and protein energy malnutrition morbidity and mortality per day of diarrhoea and quantified the burden of diarrhoeal disease due to these outcomes caused by undernutrition. Findings Diarrhoea episodes are significantly associated with childhood growth faltering. We found that each day of diarrhoea was associated with height-for-age Z-score (–0·0033 [95% CI −0·0024 to −0·0041]; p=4·43 × 10−14), weight-for-age Z-score (–0·0077 [–0·0058 to −0·0097]; p=3·19 × 10−15), and weight-for-height Z-score (–0·0096 [–0·0067 to −0·0125]; p=7·78 × 10−11). After addition of the DALYs due to the long-term sequelae as a consequence of undernutrition, the burden of diarrhoeal diseases increased by 39·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 33·0–46·6) and was responsible for 55 778 000 DALYs (95% UI 49 125 400–62 396 200) among children younger than 5 years in 2016. Among the 15 652 300 DALYs (95% UI 12 951 300–18 806 100) associated with undernutrition due to diarrhoeal episodes, more than 84·7% are due to increased risk of infectious disease, whereas the remaining 15·3% of long-term DALYs are due to increased prevalence of protein energy malnutrition. The burden of diarrhoea has decreased substantially since 1990, but progress has been greater in long-term (78·7% reduction [95% UI 69·3–85·5]) than in acute (70·4% reduction [95% UI 61·7–76·5]) DALYs. Interpretation Diarrhoea represents an even larger burden of disease than was estimated in the Global Burden of Disease Study. In order to adequately address the burden of its long-term sequelae, a renewed emphasis on controlling the risk of diarrhoea incidence may be required. This renewed effort can help further prevent the potential lifelong cost on child health, growth, and overall potential. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Troeger
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Danny V Colombara
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Puja C Rao
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ibrahim A Khalil
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexandria Brown
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Richard L Guerrant
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Eric R Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Karen L Kotloff
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kavita Misra
- Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - William A Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - James Platts-Mills
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mark S Riddle
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Scott J Swartz
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Robert C Reiner
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Simon I Hay
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ali H Mokdad
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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235
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Taneja S, Rongsen-Chandola T, Mohan SB, Mazumder S, Bhandari N, Kaur J, Arya N, Chowdhury R, Martines JC, Bahl R, Bhan MK. Mid upper arm circumference as a predictor of risk of mortality in children in a low resource setting in India. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197832. [PMID: 29856757 PMCID: PMC5983511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this secondary analysis of data from an intervention trial, we assessed the performance of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) as a predictor of mortality in children aged 6-59 months from Delhi, India, one year after their initial MUAC measurements were taken. Additionally, we assessed MUAC as an absolute value and MUAC z-scores as predictors of risk of mortality. METHODS In the trial, children were screened using MUAC prior to referral to the study clinic. These children were revisited a year later to ascertain their vital status. Baseline MUAC and MUAC z-scores were used to categorize children as severely (MUAC <115 mm, MUAC z-score <-3SD) or moderately (MUAC 115 to <125 mm, MUAC z-score <-2SD) malnourished. The proportion of malnutrition, risk of mortality, relative risk estimates, positive predictive value and area under the curve (AUC) by MUAC and MUAC z-scores were calculated. RESULTS In the resurvey, the first 36159 children of the 48635 in the initial survey were contacted. Of these, vital status of 34060 (94.2%) was available. The proportion of severe malnutrition by MUAC (<115 mm) was 0.5% with an associated mortality of 4.7% over a one year period and an attributable mortality of 13% while the proportion of the severe malnutrition by MUAC z-score (<-3SDwas 0.9% with an associated mortality of 2.2%. CONCLUSIONS MUAC is a significant predictor of subsequent mortality in under-five children. In settings where height measurement is not feasible, MUAC can be used as a screening tool for identifying severely malnourished children for management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Taneja
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Sarmila Mazumder
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Nita Bhandari
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Jasmine Kaur
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Nikita Arya
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Ranadip Chowdhury
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Jose Carlos Martines
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M. K. Bhan
- Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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236
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Paltridge M, Traves A. The Health Effects of Strongyloidiasis on Pregnant Women and Children: A Systematic Literature Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3020050. [PMID: 30274446 PMCID: PMC6073583 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection that remains under-researched despite its ability to cause significant illness. Women and children may be at particular risk of health consequences from this parasite. This systematic literature review aims to examine research on the long-term health effects that strongyloidiasis has in pregnant women and children. We conducted a structured search using multiple databases to collect all primary studies discussing health effects of strongyloidiasis in the aforementioned groups. The review included 20 results: 16 primary studies and four case reports. The methodological quality of studies was substandard, and there was substantial heterogeneity to the statistical analysis and outcomes assessed in the literature. Statistically significant associations were found between strongyloidiasis and low birth weight, as well as wasting. No links were found between strongyloidiasis and anaemia. Due to testing methods used in the studies, the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in these studies was probably under-estimated. Current research is suggestive that strongyloidiasis has long-term adverse health effects on the offspring of infected mothers and in chronically-infected children. Data analysis was hindered by both methodological and statistical flaws, and as such, reliable conclusions regarding the health impacts could not be formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Paltridge
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia.
| | - Aileen Traves
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia.
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Adu-Afarwuah S. From the Field: Improving Fetal and Infant Growth in Vulnerable Populations. Food Nutr Bull 2018; 39:S60-S68. [PMID: 29734823 DOI: 10.1177/0379572118773035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This article summarizes a presentation given at the 2017 Dairy for Global Nutrition Conference in Boise, Idaho. OBJECTIVE To give an overview of the pattern of early growth faltering in developing countries and examine the implications of the iLiNS-DYAD randomized trial in Ghana. METHODS The pattern of growth faltering in developing countries was outlined. In Ghana, 1320 women ≤ 20 weeks of pregnancy were assigned to 20 g/d small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS; LNS group) or multiple micronutrients (MMNs) containing 22 and 18 vitamins and minerals, respectively, until 6 months postpartum, or iron and folic acid (IFA) until delivery, and thereafter placebo until 6 months postpartum. Infants in the LNS group were assigned to SQ-LNS from 6 to 18 months of age. RESULTS Mean anthropometric z-scores for infants in developing countries start below the World Health Organization standard at 1 month of age, and generally decline until about age of 24 months. In the Ghana trial, mean (SD) birth weight (g) was greater ( P = .044) for the LNS group (3030 [414]) than the IFA group (2945 [442]) but not the MMN group (3005 [435]). Among primiparous mothers, the LNS group had significantly greater mean birth length, weight, and head circumference than the IFA or MMN group. By 18 months of age, the mean length (95% confidence interval) for the LNS group was +0.6 (0.1-1.1) cm greater than for the IFA group and +0.6 (0.1-1.2) cm greater than for the MMN group. CONCLUSION Pre- and post-natal SQ-LNS consumption may improve fetal and infant growth in similar populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Adu-Afarwuah
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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238
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McGrath CJ, Arndt MB, Walson JL. Biomarkers to Stratify Risk Groups among Children with Malnutrition in Resource-Limited Settings and to Monitor Response to Intervention. Horm Res Paediatr 2018; 88:111-117. [PMID: 28486222 DOI: 10.1159/000471875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite global efforts to reduce childhood undernutrition, current interventions have had little impact on stunting and wasting, and the mechanisms underlying growth faltering are poorly understood. There is a clear need to distinguish populations of children most likely to benefit from any given intervention and to develop tools to monitor response to therapy prior to the development of morbid sequelae. In resource-limited settings, environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is common among children, contributing to malnutrition and increasing childhood morbidity and mortality risk. In addition to EED, early alterations in the gut microbiota can adversely affect growth through nutrient malabsorption, altered metabolism, gut inflammation, and dysregulation of the growth hormone axis. We examined the evidence linking EED and the gut microbiome to growth faltering and explored novel biomarkers to identify subgroups of children at risk of malnutrition due to underlying pathology. These and other biomarkers could be used to identify specific groups of children at risk of malnutrition and monitor response to targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine J McGrath
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Judd L Walson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,The Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition Network (CHAIN), Nairobi, Kenya
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239
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Donowitz JR, Cook H, Alam M, Tofail F, Kabir M, Colgate ER, Carmolli MP, Kirkpatrick BD, Nelson CA, Ma JZ, Haque R, Petri WA. Role of maternal health and infant inflammation in nutritional and neurodevelopmental outcomes of two-year-old Bangladeshi children. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006363. [PMID: 29813057 PMCID: PMC5993301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown maternal, inflammatory, and socioeconomic variables to be associated with growth and neurodevelopment in children from low-income countries. However, these outcomes are multifactorial and work describing which predictors most strongly influence them is lacking. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We conducted a longitudinal study of Bangladeshi children from birth to two years to assess oral vaccine efficacy. Variables pertaining to maternal and perinatal health, socioeconomic status, early childhood enteric and systemic inflammation, and anthropometry were collected. Bayley-III neurodevelopmental assessment was conducted at two years. As a secondary analysis, we employed hierarchical cluster and random forests techniques to identify and rank which variables predicted growth and neurodevelopment. Cluster analysis demonstrated three distinct groups of predictors. Mother's weight and length-for-age Z score (LAZ) at enrollment were the strongest predictors of LAZ at two years. Cognitive score on Bayley-III was strongly predicted by weight-for-age (WAZ) at enrollment, income, and LAZ at enrollment. Top predictors of language included Rotavirus vaccination, plasma IL 5, sCD14, TNFα, mother's weight, and male gender. Motor function was best predicted by fecal calprotectin, WAZ at enrollment, fecal neopterin, and plasma CRP index. The strongest predictors for social-emotional score included plasma sCD14, income, WAZ at enrollment, and LAZ at enrollment. Based on the random forests' predictions, the estimated percentage of variation explained was 35.4% for LAZ at two years, 34.3% for ΔLAZ, 42.7% for cognitive score, 28.1% for language, 40.8% for motor, and 37.9% for social-emotional score. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Birth anthropometry and maternal weight were strong predictors of growth while enteric and systemic inflammation had stronger associations with neurodevelopment. Birth anthropometry was a powerful predictor for all outcomes. These data suggest that further study of stunting in low-income settings should include variables relating to maternal and prenatal health, while investigations focusing on neurodevelopmental outcomes should additionally target causes of systemic and enteric inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R. Donowitz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Heather Cook
- Department of Statistics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Masud Alam
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Fahmida Tofail
- Child Development Unit, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mamun Kabir
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - E. Ross Colgate
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Marya P. Carmolli
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Beth D. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Charles A. Nelson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennie Z. Ma
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Rashidul Haque
- Division of Parasitology, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - William A. Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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Ghosh AK, Kishore B, Shaikh I, Satyavrat V, Kumar A, Shah T, Pote P, Shinde S, Berde Y, Low YL, Tan VMH, Huynh DTT. Continuation of oral nutritional supplementation supports continued growth in nutritionally at-risk children with picky eating behaviour: A post-intervention, observational follow-up study. J Int Med Res 2018; 46:2615-2632. [PMID: 29695211 PMCID: PMC6124283 DOI: 10.1177/0300060518766982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the 120-day post-intervention growth trajectory of picky-eating children aged 2 to 6 years who previously completed a 90-day, randomized, controlled trial of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) plus dietary counselling (DC) (SDC, n = 98) compared with DC alone (n = 105). Methods A total of 203 children were included. Children were free to consume ONS during follow-up. Information on ONS consumption was collected. Weight-for-age percentile (WAP) and height-for-age percentile (HAP) were measured at Day 90 (beginning) and Day 210 (end point). Results Despite continued weight gain, there was a significant decline in WAP in both groups during the post-intervention period. However, children who took ONS voluntarily had a smaller loss in WAP compared with those who did not. Children in the SDC group showed no difference in a decline in HAP between those who took ONS during follow-up and those who did not. However, children in the DC group showed a marginally larger decline in HAP in those who did not take ONS during the follow-up compared with those who did. Conclusions Continued parental self-administration of ONS to their children slows down the loss of growth percentiles, supporting continued weight gain in picky-eating children at nutritional risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irfan Shaikh
- 3 Scientific & Medical Affairs, Abbott Nutrition, India
| | | | - Anil Kumar
- 4 Praveen Cardiac Centre, Vijayawada, India
| | | | | | | | - Yatin Berde
- 8 Statistical Services, Cognizant Technologies Solution Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Yen Ling Low
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
| | - Verena M H Tan
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
| | - Dieu T T Huynh
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
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241
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Humphrey JH, Prendergast AJ. Population-level linear growth faltering in low-income and middle-income countries. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018; 5:e1168-e1169. [PMID: 29132605 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(17)30425-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean H Humphrey
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Andrew J Prendergast
- Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London UK
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242
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Shigella infection in children and adults: a formidable foe. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018; 5:e1166-e1167. [PMID: 29132604 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(17)30431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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243
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Ghosh AK, Kishore B, Shaikh I, Satyavrat V, Kumar A, Shah T, Pote P, Shinde S, Berde Y, Low YL, Tan VMH, Huynh DTT. Effect of oral nutritional supplementation on growth and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in picky eating children at nutritional risk: a randomized, controlled trial. J Int Med Res 2018; 46:2186-2201. [PMID: 29614897 PMCID: PMC6023057 DOI: 10.1177/0300060518757355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) plus dietary counselling (DC) (intervention) versus DC alone (control) on growth and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in nutritionally at-risk, picky eating children in India. Methods We performed a 90-day, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 255 children aged 24–72 months with a weight-for-age z-score ≥−2 and <−1, picky eating behaviour, and acute URTI were randomized to the control (n = 128) or intervention group (n = 127). The outcomes included the change in weight-for-age z-score from days 1 to 90 and the URTI incidence. Results The mean age was 44.0 ± 14.3 months. The intervention group showed a significantly greater increase in mean weight-for-age and body mass index-for-age z-scores compared with the control group from day 10 onwards. Higher energy intake in the intervention group was observed at all follow-up visits, except for day 10. The incidence of URTI in the control group was 2.01 times higher than that in the intervention group, controlling for confounding factors. Conclusions ONS plus DC is effective for improving weight and reducing the incidence of URTI in nutritionally at-risk, picky eating children with an acute URTI episode.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irfan Shaikh
- 3 Scientific & Medical Affairs, Abbott Nutrition, India
| | | | - Anil Kumar
- 4 Praveen Cardiac Centre, Vijayawada, India
| | | | | | | | - Yatin Berde
- 8 Statistical Services, Cognizant Technologies Solution Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Yen Ling Low
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
| | - Verena M H Tan
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
| | - Dieu T T Huynh
- 9 Clinical Research, Abbott Nutrition Research and Development, Singapore
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244
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Khara T, Mwangome M, Ngari M, Dolan C. Children concurrently wasted and stunted: A meta-analysis of prevalence data of children 6-59 months from 84 countries. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2018; 14:e12516. [PMID: 28944990 PMCID: PMC5901398 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Children can be stunted and wasted at the same time. Having both deficits greatly elevates risk of mortality. The analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence and burden of children aged 6-59 months concurrently wasted and stunted. Data from demographic and health survey and Multi-indicator Cluster Surveys datasets from 84 countries were analysed. Overall prevalence for being wasted, stunted, and concurrently wasted and stunted among children 6 to 59 months was calculated. A pooled prevalence of concurrence was estimated and reported by gender, age, United Nations regions, and contextual categories. Burden was calculated using population figures from the global joint estimates database. The pooled prevalence of concurrence in the 84 countries was 3.0%, 95% CI [2.97, 3.06], ranging from 0% to 8.0%. Nine countries reported a concurrence prevalence greater than 5%. The estimated burden was 5,963,940 children. Prevalence of concurrence was highest in the 12- to 24-month age group 4.2%, 95% CI [4.1, 4.3], and was significantly higher among boys 3.54%, 95% CI [3.47, 3.61], compared to girls; 2.46%, 95% CI [2.41, 2.52]. Fragile and conflict-affected states reported significantly higher concurrence 3.6%, 95% CI [3.5, 3.6], than those defined as stable 2.24%, 95% CI [2.18, 2.30]. This analysis represents the first multiple country estimation of the prevalence and burden of children concurrently wasted and stunted. Given the high risk of mortality associated with concurrence, the findings indicate a need to report on this condition as well as investigate whether these children are being reached through existing programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martha Mwangome
- KEMRI‐Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine Research‐CoastKilifiKenya
| | - Moses Ngari
- KEMRI‐Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine Research‐CoastKilifiKenya
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245
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Huang M, Sudfeld C, Ismail A, Vuai S, Ntwenya J, Mwanyika-Sando M, Fawzi W. Maternal Dietary Diversity and Growth of Children Under 24 Months of Age in Rural Dodoma, Tanzania. Food Nutr Bull 2018; 39:219-230. [DOI: 10.1177/0379572118761682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To identify predictors of maternal dietary diversity in rural Dodoma, Tanzania and assess its association with child growth outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 361 mothers with children under 24 months of age was conducted in 5 villages in rural Dodoma, Tanzania. Maternal diets were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and dietary diversity was categorized using Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) guidelines. Child anthropometric measures were taken to calculate height-for-age z-score (HAZ), weight-for-height z-score (WHZ), and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ). Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the association between maternal dietary diversity and children’s growth outcomes. Results: About 40% of mothers did not consume a diverse diet (MDD-W < 5), and 35% of children were stunted. Household production of greater number of crops was associated with greater MDD-W scores ( P < .01). Greater maternal dietary diversity was associated with significantly greater child WHZ (mean difference = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.78; P = .01), WAZ (mean difference = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.08-0.65; P = .01), and reduced risk of wasting (odds ratio = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.07-0.66; P = .01). Conclusions: Greater maternal dietary diversity was associated with improved child WHZ and WAZ outcomes. Sustainable interventions to increase maternal dietary diversity may improve WHZ and WAZ in young children in similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Huang
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Sudfeld
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Said Vuai
- University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Wafaie Fawzi
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
- Africa Academy for Public Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Epidemiology and Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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246
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Pearson R, Killedar M, Petravic J, Kakietek JJ, Scott N, Grantham KL, Stuart RM, Kedziora DJ, Kerr CC, Skordis-Worrall J, Shekar M, Wilson DP. Optima Nutrition: an allocative efficiency tool to reduce childhood stunting by better targeting of nutrition-related interventions. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:384. [PMID: 29558915 PMCID: PMC5861618 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Child stunting due to chronic malnutrition is a major problem in low- and middle-income countries due, in part, to inadequate nutrition-related practices and insufficient access to services. Limited budgets for nutritional interventions mean that available resources must be targeted in the most cost-effective manner to have the greatest impact. Quantitative tools can help guide budget allocation decisions. Methods The Optima approach is an established framework to conduct resource allocation optimization analyses. We applied this approach to develop a new tool, ‘Optima Nutrition’, for conducting allocative efficiency analyses that address childhood stunting. At the core of the Optima approach is an epidemiological model for assessing the burden of disease; we use an adapted version of the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). Six nutritional interventions have been included in the first release of the tool: antenatal micronutrient supplementation, balanced energy-protein supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding promotion, promotion of improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, public provision of complementary foods, and vitamin A supplementation. To demonstrate the use of this tool, we applied it to evaluate the optimal allocation of resources in 7 districts in Bangladesh, using both publicly available data (such as through DHS) and data from a complementary costing study. Results Optima Nutrition can be used to estimate how to target resources to improve nutrition outcomes. Specifically, for the Bangladesh example, despite only limited nutrition-related funding available (an estimated $0.75 per person in need per year), even without any extra resources, better targeting of investments in nutrition programming could increase the cumulative number of children living without stunting by 1.3 million (an extra 5%) by 2030 compared to the current resource allocation. To minimize stunting, priority interventions should include promotion of improved IYCF practices as well as vitamin A supplementation. Once these programs are adequately funded, the public provision of complementary foods should be funded as the next priority. Programmatic efforts should give greatest emphasis to the regions of Dhaka and Chittagong, which have the greatest number of stunted children. Conclusions A resource optimization tool can provide important guidance for targeting nutrition investments to achieve greater impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Pearson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. .,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Madhura Killedar
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Janka Petravic
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kelsey L Grantham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn M Stuart
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David J Kedziora
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Cliff C Kerr
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia.,Complex Systems Group, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jolene Skordis-Worrall
- Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia.,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Meera Shekar
- The World Bank, ICF International, Washington D.C., USA
| | - David P Wilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Optima Consortium for Decision Science, Melbourne, Australia
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Farràs M, Chandwe K, Mayneris-Perxachs J, Amadi B, Louis-Auguste J, Besa E, Zyambo K, Guerrant R, Kelly P, Swann JR. Characterizing the metabolic phenotype of intestinal villus blunting in Zambian children with severe acute malnutrition and persistent diarrhea. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192092. [PMID: 29499047 PMCID: PMC5834158 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is widespread throughout the tropics and in children is associated with stunting and other adverse health outcomes. One of the hallmarks of EED is villus damage. In children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) the severity of enteropathy is greater and short term mortality is high, but the metabolic consequences of enteropathy are unknown. Here, we characterize the urinary metabolic alterations associated with villus health, classic enteropathy biomarkers and anthropometric measurements in severely malnourished children in Zambia. Methods/Principal findings We analysed 20 hospitalised children with acute malnutrition aged 6 to 23 months in Zambia. Small intestinal biopsies were assessed histologically (n = 15), anthropometric and gut function measurements were collected and the metabolic phenotypes were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Endoscopy could not be performed on community controls children. Growth parameters were inversely correlated with enteropathy biomarkers (p = 0.011) and parameters of villus health were inversely correlated with translocation and permeability biomarkers (p = 0.000 and p = 0.015). Shorter villus height was associated with reduced abundance of metabolites related to gut microbial metabolism, energy and muscle metabolism (p = 0.034). Villus blunting was also related to increased sucrose excretion (p = 0.013). Conclusions/Significance Intestinal villus blunting is associated with several metabolic perturbations in hospitalized children with severe undernutrition. Such alterations include altered muscle metabolism, reinforcing the link between EED and growth faltering, and a disruption in the biochemical exchange between the gut microbiota and host. These findings extend our understanding on the downstream consequences of villus blunting and provide novel non-invasive biomarkers of enteropathy dysfunction. The major limitations of this study are the lack of comparative control group and gut microbiota characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Farràs
- Computational and Systems Medicine Group, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (JRS); (MF)
| | - Kanta Chandwe
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs
- Computational and Systems Medicine Group, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Amadi
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - John Louis-Auguste
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Besa
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kanekwa Zyambo
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard Guerrant
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Paul Kelly
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Richard Swann
- Computational and Systems Medicine Group, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JRS); (MF)
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Perumal N, Bassani DG, Roth DE. Use and Misuse of Stunting as a Measure of Child Health. J Nutr 2018; 148:311-315. [PMID: 29546307 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxx064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The term "stunting" has become pervasive in international nutrition and child health research, program, and policy circles. Although originally intended as a population-level statistical indicator of children's social and economic deprivation, the conventional anthropometric definition of stunting (height-for-age z scores <-2 SD) is now widely used to define chronic malnutrition. Epidemiologists often portray it as a disease, making inferences about the causes of growth faltering based on comparisons between stunted (i.e., undernourished) and nonstunted children. Stunting is commonly used to monitor public health and nutrition program effectiveness alongside calls for the "elimination of stunting." However, there is no biological basis for the -2 SD cutoff to define stunting, making it a poor individual-level classifier of malnutrition or disease. In fact, in many low- and middle-income countries, children above and below the threshold are similarly affected by growth-limiting exposures. We argue that the common use of stunting as an indicator of child linear growth has contributed to unsubstantiated assumptions about the biological mechanisms underlying linear growth impairment in low- and middle-income countries and has led to a systematic underestimation of the burden of linear growth deficits among children in low-resource settings. Moreover, because nutrition-specific short-term public health interventions may result in relatively minor changes in child height, the use of stunting prevalence to monitor health or nutrition program effectiveness may be inappropriate. A more nuanced approach to the application and interpretation of stunting as an indicator in child growth research and public health programming is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Perumal
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Global Child Health, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Diego G Bassani
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Global Child Health, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel E Roth
- Centre for Global Child Health, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lassi ZS, Irfan O, Hadi R, Das JK, Bhutta ZA. PROTOCOL: Effects of interventions for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) promotion on optimal IYCF practices, nutrition, growth and health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2018; 14:1-26. [PMID: 37131389 PMCID: PMC8427994 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
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Relationship between growth and illness, enteropathogens and dietary intakes in the first 2 years of life: findings from the MAL-ED birth cohort study. BMJ Glob Health 2017; 2:e000370. [PMID: 29333282 PMCID: PMC5759708 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary and illness factors affect risk of growth faltering; the role of enteropathogens is less clear. As part of the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) study, we quantify the effects of enteropathogen infection, diarrhoea and diet on child growth. METHODS Newborns were enrolled and followed until 24 months. Length and weight were assessed monthly. Illnesses and breastfeeding practices were documented biweekly; from 9 to 24 months, non-breast milk intakes were quantified monthly. Routinely collected non-diarrhoeal stools were analysed for a broad array of enteropathogens. A linear piecewise spline model was used to quantify associations of each factor with growth velocity in seven of eight MAL-ED sites; cumulative effects on attained size at 24 months were estimated for mean, low (10th percentile) and high (90th percentile) exposure levels. Additionally, the six most prevalent enteropathogens were evaluated for their effects on growth. RESULTS Diarrhoea did not have a statistically significant effect on growth. Children with high enteropathogen exposure were estimated to be 1.21±0.33 cm (p<0.001; 0.39 length for age (LAZ)) shorter and 0.08±0.15 kg (p=0.60; 0.08 weight-for-age (WAZ)) lighter at 24 months, on average, than children with low exposure. Campylobacter and enteroaggregativeEscherichia coli detections were associated with deficits of 0.83±0.33 and 0.85±0.31 cm in length (p=0.011 and 0.001) and 0.22±0.15 and 0.09±0.14 kg in weight (p=0.14 and 0.52), respectively. Children with low energy intakes and protein density were estimated to be 1.39±0.33 cm (p<0.001; 0.42 LAZ) shorter and 0.81±0.15 kg (p<0.001; 0.65 WAZ) lighter at 24 months than those with high intakes. CONCLUSIONS Reducing enteropathogen burden and improving energy and protein density of complementary foods could reduce stunting.
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