Exclusive breast feeding versus supplementation: a prospective study in a rural south Indian community

Pediatric diarrhea in southern Ghana: etiology and association with intestinal inflammation and malnutrition

Diarrhea is a major public health problem that affects the development of children. Anthropometric data were collected from 274 children with (N = 170) and without (N = 104) diarrhea. Stool specimens were analyzed by conventional culture, polymerase chain reaction for enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), Shigella, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, and Giardia species, and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for fecal lactoferrin levels. About 50% of the study population was mildly to severely malnourished. Fecal lactoferrin levels were higher in children with diarrhea (P = 0.019). Children who had EAEC infection, with or without diarrhea, had high mean lactoferrin levels regardless of nutritional status. The EAEC and Cryptosporidium were associated with diarrhea (P = 0.048 and 0.011, respectively), and malnourished children who had diarrhea were often co-infected with both Cryptosporidium and EAEC. In conclusion, the use of DNA-biomarkers revealed that EAEC and Cryptosporidium were common intestinal pathogens in Accra, and that elevated lactoferrin was associated with diarrhea in this group of children.

Traditional infant feeding practices: right or wrong?

Infant feeding practices, breastmilk and food intake and post-natal growth in Madura, East Java, Indonesia and Machakos, Kenya are described. Breastfeeding is commonly practised. Additional foods are introduced the first week post-partum in Madura and at age 2-3 months in Machakos. Growth started to falter at 2-3 months in Madura but was acceptable during the first 6 months in Machakos. It was felt that apart from breastfeeding and morbidity, other factors pertaining to mother's perceptions about what infants should eat and her possibility to make suitable weaning foods, should be considered to understand the background of growth faltering.