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Kvestad I, Ulak M, Ranjitkar S, Shrestha M, Chandyo RK, Guedeney A, Braarud HC, Hysing M, Strand TA. Social withdrawal behaviour in Nepalese infants and the relationship with future neurodevelopment; a longitudinal cohort study. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:195. [PMID: 38500052 PMCID: PMC10946118 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04658-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social withdrawal in infants may be a signal of distress and a precursor for non-optimal development. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between infant social withdrawal and neurodevelopment up to 4 years in Nepalese children. METHODS A total of 597 Nepalese infants 6-11 months old were assessed with the modified Alarm Distress Baby Scale (m-ADBB), and of these, 527 with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (Bayley-III) during early childhood, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) and NEPSY-II subtests at 4 years. We examined whether social withdrawal defined by the m-ADBB was associated with neurodevelopmental scores in regression models. RESULTS Children socially withdrawn in infancy had lower Bayley-III language scores (-2.6 (95% CI -4.5, -0.7)) in early childhood. This association seems to be driven by the expressive communication subscale (-0.7 (95% CI -1.0, -0.3)), but not the receptive communication subscale (-0.2 (95% CI -0.6, 0.1)). There were no differences in the other Bayley-III scores or the WPPSI-IV and NEPSY-II scores at 4 years in children who were socially withdrawn or not. CONCLUSION Social withdrawal in infancy was reflected in early language development but not cognitive functioning at 4 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Child Health Research Project, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suman Ranjitkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Child Health Research Project, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Child Health Research Project, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Hanne C Braarud
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mari Hysing
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tor A Strand
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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2
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Mertens A, Benjamin-Chung J, Colford JM, Coyle J, van der Laan MJ, Hubbard AE, Rosete S, Malenica I, Hejazi N, Sofrygin O, Cai W, Li H, Nguyen A, Pokpongkiat NN, Djajadi S, Seth A, Jung E, Chung EO, Jilek W, Subramoney V, Hafen R, Häggström J, Norman T, Brown KH, Christian P, Arnold BF. Causes and consequences of child growth faltering in low-resource settings. Nature 2023; 621:568-576. [PMID: 37704722 PMCID: PMC10511328 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06501-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Growth faltering in children (low length for age or low weight for length) during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to 2 years of age) influences short-term and long-term health and survival1,2. Interventions such as nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and the postnatal period could help prevent growth faltering, but programmatic action has been insufficient to eliminate the high burden of stunting and wasting in low- and middle-income countries. Identification of age windows and population subgroups on which to focus will benefit future preventive efforts. Here we use a population intervention effects analysis of 33 longitudinal cohorts (83,671 children, 662,763 measurements) and 30 separate exposures to show that improving maternal anthropometry and child condition at birth accounted for population increases in length-for-age z-scores of up to 0.40 and weight-for-length z-scores of up to 0.15 by 24 months of age. Boys had consistently higher risk of all forms of growth faltering than girls. Early postnatal growth faltering predisposed children to subsequent and persistent growth faltering. Children with multiple growth deficits exhibited higher mortality rates from birth to 2 years of age than children without growth deficits (hazard ratios 1.9 to 8.7). The importance of prenatal causes and severe consequences for children who experienced early growth faltering support a focus on pre-conception and pregnancy as a key opportunity for new preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mertens
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jade Benjamin-Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John M Colford
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Coyle
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mark J van der Laan
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alan E Hubbard
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sonali Rosete
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ivana Malenica
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nima Hejazi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Oleg Sofrygin
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Cai
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Haodong Li
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anna Nguyen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nolan N Pokpongkiat
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Djajadi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anmol Seth
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther Jung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther O Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Jilek
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Ryan Hafen
- Hafen Consulting, West Richland, WA, USA
| | | | - Thea Norman
- Quantitative Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Brown
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Parul Christian
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin F Arnold
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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3
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Mertens A, Benjamin-Chung J, Colford JM, Hubbard AE, van der Laan MJ, Coyle J, Sofrygin O, Cai W, Jilek W, Rosete S, Nguyen A, Pokpongkiat NN, Djajadi S, Seth A, Jung E, Chung EO, Malenica I, Hejazi N, Li H, Hafen R, Subramoney V, Häggström J, Norman T, Christian P, Brown KH, Arnold BF. Child wasting and concurrent stunting in low- and middle-income countries. Nature 2023; 621:558-567. [PMID: 37704720 PMCID: PMC10511327 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal 2.2-to end malnutrition by 2030-includes the elimination of child wasting, defined as a weight-for-length z-score that is more than two standard deviations below the median of the World Health Organization standards for child growth1. Prevailing methods to measure wasting rely on cross-sectional surveys that cannot measure onset, recovery and persistence-key features that inform preventive interventions and estimates of disease burden. Here we analyse 21 longitudinal cohorts and show that wasting is a highly dynamic process of onset and recovery, with incidence peaking between birth and 3 months. Many more children experience an episode of wasting at some point during their first 24 months than prevalent cases at a single point in time suggest. For example, at the age of 24 months, 5.6% of children were wasted, but by the same age (24 months), 29.2% of children had experienced at least one wasting episode and 10.0% had experienced two or more episodes. Children who were wasted before the age of 6 months had a faster recovery and shorter episodes than did children who were wasted at older ages; however, early wasting increased the risk of later growth faltering, including concurrent wasting and stunting (low length-for-age z-score), and thus increased the risk of mortality. In diverse populations with high seasonal rainfall, the population average weight-for-length z-score varied substantially (more than 0.5 z in some cohorts), with the lowest mean z-scores occurring during the rainiest months; this indicates that seasonally targeted interventions could be considered. Our results show the importance of establishing interventions to prevent wasting from birth to the age of 6 months, probably through improved maternal nutrition, to complement current programmes that focus on children aged 6-59 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mertens
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jade Benjamin-Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John M Colford
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alan E Hubbard
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mark J van der Laan
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Coyle
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Oleg Sofrygin
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Cai
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Jilek
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sonali Rosete
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anna Nguyen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nolan N Pokpongkiat
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Djajadi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anmol Seth
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther Jung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther O Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ivana Malenica
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nima Hejazi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Haodong Li
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Hafen
- Hafen Consulting, West Richland, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Thea Norman
- Quantitative Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Parul Christian
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth H Brown
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin F Arnold
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Chandyo RK, Schwinger C, Kvestad I, Ulak M, Ranjitkar S, Shrestha M, Nguyen LV, Corona-Perez D, DeVivo I, Shrestha L, Strand TA. The association between household biomass fuel use and leukocyte telomere length among toddlers in Bhaktapur, Nepal. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:448-454. [PMID: 36138138 PMCID: PMC10234806 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00474-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomass fuels are still in use for cooking by many households in resource poor countries such as Nepal and is a major source of household air pollution (HAP). Chronic exposure to HAP has been shown to be associated with shorter telomere length in adults. OBJECTIVES To measure the association between exposure related to household biomass fuel in infancy and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) at 18-23 months of age among 497 children from Bhaktapur, Nepal. METHODS In a prospective cohort study design, we have collected information on household cooking fuel use and several clinical, anthropometric, demographic, and socioeconomic variables. We estimated the association between biomass fuel use and the relative LTL in multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Most of the families (78%) reported liquified petroleum gas (LPG) as the primary cooking fuel, and 18.7% used biomass. The mean relative (SD) LTL was 1.03 (0.19). Children living in households using biomass fuel had on average 0.09 (95% CI: 0.05 to 0.13) units shorter LTL than children in households with no biomass fuel use. The observed association was unaltered after adjusting for relevant confounders. The association between LTL and biomass use was strongest among children from households with ≤2 rooms and without separate kitchen. SIGNIFICANCE Exposure to biomass fuel use in early life might have consequences for longevity, and risk of chronic illnesses reflected in shortening of the telomeres. Our findings support the ongoing effort to reduce exposure to biomass fuel in low-resource settings. IMPACT STATEMENTS Biomass for cooking is a leading source of household air pollution in low and middle-income countries, contributing to many chronic diseases and premature deaths. Chronic exposure to biomass fuel through oxidative stress and inflammation has been associated with a shortening of the telomeres, a "biological marker" of longevity. This prospective cohort study describes the association between household biomass fuel use and leukocyte telomere length among 497 toddlers. Leukocyte telomere length was significantly shorter among children living in households with biomass fuel than in children from homes where mainly LPG was used for cooking. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02272842, registered October 21, 2014, Universal Trial Number: U1111-1161-5187 (September 8, 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Catherine Schwinger
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suman Ranjitkar
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Linda Vy Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diana Corona-Perez
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Immaculata DeVivo
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laxman Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tor A Strand
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.
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5
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Kvestad I, Chandyo RK, Schwinger C, Ranjitkar S, Hysing M, Ulak M, Shrestha M, Shrestha L, Strand TA. Biomass fuel use for cooking in Nepalese families and child cognitive abilities, results from a community-based study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113265. [PMID: 35500855 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomass fuel use for cooking is widespread in low to middle income countries. Studies on the association between biomass fuel use and cognitive abilities in children are limited. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between biomass fuel use for cooking and cognitive abilities in Nepalese children at 4 years of age. METHODS In a cohort design we have information on biomass fuel use in the households of 533 children in infancy and cognitive abilities when they were 4 years old from a community-based sample. Cognitive abilities were measured by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th edition (WPPSI-IV) and the NEPSY-II. We examined the associations between biomass fuel use and scores on the WPPSI-IV Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) (primary outcome), and WPPSI index and NEPSY-II subtest scores in multiple linear regression models. The associations were also examined in predefined subgroups. RESULTS Ninety-nine (18.6%) of the families used biomass fuel for cooking. Children in these families had lower mean FSIQ than children in families with no biomass use (83.3 (95%CI 81.7, 85.0) vs. 85.3 (95%CI 84.5, 86.0)), with a mean difference of -2.2 (95%CI -3.9, -0.5) adjusting for demographics and socio-economic status. The association between biomass fuel use and cognitive abilities was strongest in subgroups of children from households with more than three rooms, with separate kitchen and bedroom, and with higher wealth-score. These interactions were significant for number of rooms in the home (p = 0.04), if the household had separate bedroom and kitchen (p = 0.05), and for the wealth-score (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Biomass fuel use for cooking in Nepalese families was associated with lower overall cognitive abilities at 4 years. Uncertainties include exposure misclassification and unmeasured confounding. The associations between biomass fuel use and neurodevelopment in children needs further investigation with more precise measurements of the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway; Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Catherine Schwinger
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Suman Ranjitkar
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mari Hysing
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Laxman Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tor A Strand
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway; Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Schwinger C, Kvestad I, Chandyo RK, Ulak M, Shrestha M, Ranjitkar S, Strand TA. The association between biomass fuel use for cooking and linear growth in young children in Bhaktapur, Nepal. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107089. [PMID: 35063791 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are still many people in the world who prepare their meals on open fires or stoves using solid fuels from biomass, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Although biomass cooking fuels have been associated with adverse health impacts and diseases, the association with child linear growth remains unclear. OBJECTIVES In a cohort design, we aimed to describe the association between the use of biomass cooking fuels and linear growth in children aged 18-23 months living in the urban and peri-urban community of Bhaktapur, situated in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. METHODS Caretakers of 600 marginally stunted children aged 6-11 months were interviewed about their source of cooking fuel and other socio-demographic characteristics at enrolment into a randomized controlled trial. Children's body length was measured when children were 18-23 months old. In linear regression models, we estimated the association between the use of biomass fuel and length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ), adjusted for relevant confounders. We repeated these analyses in pre-defined sub-groups and different percentiles of LAZ using quantile regression models. RESULTS Among study participants, 101 (18%) used biomass as cooking fuel. The association between biomass fuel and LAZ was not statistically significant in the full sample (adjusted regression coefficient: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.28, 0.00). The association was stronger in some of the sub-groups and in the lower tail of the LAZ distribution (those who are stunted), but neither reached statistical significance. DISCUSSION Children from households in poor, urban neighborhoods in Nepal which used biomass fuel for cooking were on average slightly shorter than other children, although the association only approached statistical significance. As this was an observational study, residual confounding cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to confirm these associations, in particular those seen in certain sub-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Schwinger
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway; Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suman Ranjitkar
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tor A Strand
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.
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7
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Shrestha J, Shrestha SK, Strand TA, Dudman S, Dembinski JL, Vikse R, Andreassen AK. Diversity of Rotavirus Strains in Children; Results From a Community-Based Study in Nepal. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:712326. [PMID: 34660624 PMCID: PMC8517221 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.712326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the incidence and genetic diversity of Rotavirus (RV) infection among children up to 3 years of age in a community in Nepal. Methods: We investigated community-acquired cases of asymptomatic and symptomatic RV infections in children from birth to 36 months of age in a community-based birth cohort in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Monthly surveillance and diarrheal stool samples were collected from 240 children enrolled at birth, of which 238 completed the 3 years of follow-up. Samples were screened for rotavirus by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). All RV screened positives were further genotyped by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the capsid genes VP7 and VP4. Results: In total, 5,224 stool samples were collected from 238 children, followed from birth to 36 months of age. Diarrhea occurred in 92.4% (230/238) of all children in the cohort. During the 3 years study period, RV was more frequently seen in children with symptoms (7.6%) than in non-symptomatic children (0.8%). The highest RV detection rate was found in younger children between 3 and 21 months of age. Although rotavirus is known as winter diarrhea, it was detected throughout the year except in August. The highest positivity rate was observed in the months between December and March, with a peak in January. Four common G types were seen: G2 (30%), G1 (29%), G12 (19%), and G9 (16%). The most predominant genotypes seen were G2P[4] (30%), followed by G1P[8] (27.0%), G12P[6] (14.0%), G9P[8] (10%), and remaining were mixed, partial, and untyped. Conclusion: Our study confirms that rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in young children in the community. The prevalence and pathogenicity of rotavirus infection differed by age. There was substantial variability in circulating strains in the community samples compared to samples collected from hospitals. This shows the importance of including community-based surveillance systems to monitor the diversity of circulating rotavirus strains in Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Shrestha
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Walter Reed/AFRIMS Research Unit Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sanjaya K Shrestha
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Walter Reed/AFRIMS Research Unit Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tor A Strand
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Susanne Dudman
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Rose Vikse
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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8
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Kvestad I, McCann A, Chandyo RK, Giil LM, Shrestha M, Ulak M, Hysing M, Ueland PM, Strand TA. One-Carbon Metabolism in Nepalese Infant-Mother Pairs and Child Cognition at 5 Years Old. J Nutr 2021; 151:883-891. [PMID: 33484134 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon metabolism (OCM) refers to the transfer of methyl groups central to DNA methylation and histone modification. Insufficient access to methyl donors and B-vitamin cofactors affects epigenetic maintenance and stability, and when occurring in early life may impact future health and neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the relative associations between one-carbon metabolites in Nepalese mother-infant pairs and child cognition measured at 5 y of age. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study from Bhaktapur, Nepal, in a population at high risk of subclinical B-vitamin deficiencies and cumulative infection burden. Venous blood samples from 500 mother-infant pairs were collected when the infants were 2 to 12 mo old, and metabolite concentrations measured by microbiological assays and GC-tandem MS. We re-enrolled 321 of these children at 5 y and assessed cognition by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition, and subtests from the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, 2nd edition (NEPSY-II). The associations of the independent metabolites or unobserved metabolic phenotypes (identified by latent class analysis) with the cognitive outcomes were estimated by seemingly unrelated regression. We explored direct and indirect relations between the OCM pathway and the cognitive outcomes using path analysis. RESULTS Infant cystathionine concentration was inversely associated with 4 cognitive outcomes (standardized βs ranging from -0.22 to -0.11, P values from <0.001 to 0.034). Infants with a metabolic phenotype indicating impaired OCM and low vitamin B-12 status had poorer cognitive outcomes compared with infants with normal OCM activity and adequate vitamin B-12 status (standardized βs ranging from -0.80 to -0.40, P < 0.001 and 0.05). In the path analysis, we found several OCM biomarkers were associated with affect recognition through infant plasma cystathionine. CONCLUSIONS Elevated plasma cystathionine during infancy reflects a metabolic phenotype of impaired OCM and low vitamin B-12 status and is associated with poorer cognitive function when the children are 5 y old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Lasse M Giil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Child Health Research Project, Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Child Health Research Project, Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.,Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mari Hysing
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Tor A Strand
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
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9
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Shrestha SK, Shrestha J, Andreassen AK, Strand TA, Dudman S, Dembinski JL. Genetic Diversity of Astrovirus in Children From a Birth Cohort in Nepal. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:588707. [PMID: 33613461 PMCID: PMC7893100 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.588707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study describes the types of Human astroviruses detected in stool samples collected from a birth cohort of children in Nepal. Methods: Using a commercial kit (ProSpecT), a total of 5,224 diarrheal and non-diarrheal stool samples were screened for Human astrovirus by ELISA. RT-PCR was performed on ELISA positive samples (2.8%) for further confirmation. The primary RT-PCR assay used targets the ORF2 region and detects human astrovirus type 1–8. Samples that were negative in this assay were further analyzed using primers that target the ORF1b region of human astrovirus which detect both classical type (HAstV 1–8) and novel types (MLB1–5, VA 1–5). PCR positive samples were analyzed by Sanger sequencing to determine the genotype. Results: A total of 148 available ELISA positive stool samples were analyzed by RT-PCR and further genotyped. RT-PCR analysis of these samples using the ORF2 and ORF1b assay revealed that 124 (84%) were positive for classical human types (HAstV 1–8). Seven different classical HAstV genotypes based on ORF2 and ORF1a were identified (HAstV 1- HAstV 8) with the greatest prevalence of HAstV 5 genotype (42.2%), followed by HAstV 1 (34.7%), HAstV 2 and HAstV 8 (7.4%), HAstV 4 (4.1%), HAstV 3 (3.3%), and HAstV 6 (0.8%). Non-classical types were not detected in our study. Conclusion: A high diversity of circulating Astrovirus strains were detected in young children, both with and without symptoms of gastroenteritis. HAstV 5 and HAstV 1 were the most common genotypes in young children in Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjaya Kumar Shrestha
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences Research Unit Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Jasmin Shrestha
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences Research Unit Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Tor A Strand
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Susanne Dudman
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Ashbaugh HR, Early JM, Johnson ME, Simons MP, Graf PCF, Riddle MS, Swierczewski BE, For The Gtd Study Team. A Multisite Network Assessment of the Epidemiology and Etiology of Acquired Diarrhea among U.S. Military and Western Travelers (Global Travelers' Diarrhea Study): A Principal Role of Norovirus among Travelers with Gastrointestinal Illness. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1855-1863. [PMID: 32959765 PMCID: PMC7646805 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
U.S. military personnel must be ready to deploy to locations worldwide, including environments with heightened risk of infectious disease. Diarrheal illnesses continue to be among the most significant infectious disease threats to operational capability. To better prevent, detect, and respond to these threats and improve synchronization across the Department of Defense (DoD) overseas laboratory network, a multisite Global Travelers’ Diarrhea protocol was implemented with standardized case definitions and harmonized laboratory methods to identify enteric pathogens. Harmonized laboratory procedures for detection of Norovirus (NoV), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli, Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, enteropathogenic E. coli, Salmonella enterica, Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli, and Campylobacter jejuni have been implemented at six DoD laboratories with surveillance sites in Egypt, Honduras, Peru, Nepal, Thailand, and Kenya. Samples from individuals traveling from wealthy to poorer countries were collected between June 2012 and May 2018, and of samples with all variables of interest available (n = 410), most participants enrolled were students (46%), tourists (26%), U.S. military personnel (13%), or other unspecified travelers (11%). One or more pathogens were detected in 59% of samples tested. Of samples tested, the most commonly detected pathogens were NoV (24%), ETEC (16%), and C. jejuni (14%), suggesting that NoV plays a larger role in travelers’ diarrhea than has previously been described. Harmonized data collection and methods will ensure identification and characterization of enteric pathogens are consistent across the DoD laboratory network, ultimately resulting in more comparable data for global assessments, preventive measures, and treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley R Ashbaugh
- Public Health Directorate, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - June M Early
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland.,Public Health Directorate, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Myles E Johnson
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland.,Public Health Directorate, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Mark P Simons
- Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland
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11
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Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on neurodevelopment and growth in Nepalese Infants: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003430. [PMID: 33259482 PMCID: PMC7707571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin B12 deficiency is common and affects cell division and differentiation, erythropoiesis, and the central nervous system. Several observational studies have demonstrated associations between biomarkers of vitamin B12 status with growth, neurodevelopment, and anemia. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of daily supplementation of vitamin B12 for 1 year on neurodevelopment, growth, and hemoglobin concentration in infants at risk of deficiency. METHODS AND FINDINGS This is a community-based, individually randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted in low- to middle-income neighborhoods in Bhaktapur, Nepal. We enrolled 600 marginally stunted, 6- to 11-month-old infants between April 2015 and February 2017. Children were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 2 μg of vitamin B12, corresponding to approximately 2 to 3 recommended daily allowances (RDAs) or a placebo daily for 12 months. Both groups were also given 15 other vitamins and minerals at around 1 RDA. The primary outcomes were neurodevelopment measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd ed. (Bayley-III), attained growth, and hemoglobin concentration. Secondary outcomes included the metabolic response measured by plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA). A total of 16 children (2.7%) in the vitamin B12 group and 10 children (1.7%) in the placebo group were lost to follow-up. Of note, 94% of the scheduled daily doses of vitamin B12 or placebo were reported to have been consumed (in part or completely). In this study, we observed that there were no effects of the intervention on the Bayley-III scores, growth, or hemoglobin concentration. Children in both groups grew on an average 12.5 cm (SD: 1.8), and the mean difference was 0.20 cm (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.23 to 0.63, P = 0.354). Furthermore, at the end of the study, the mean difference in hemoglobin concentration was 0.02 g/dL (95% CI: -1.33 to 1.37, P = 0.978), and the difference in the cognitive scaled scores was 0.16 (95% CI: -0.54 to 0.87, P = 0.648). The tHcy and MMA concentrations were 23% (95% CI: 17 to 30, P < 0.001) and 30% (95% CI: 15 to 46, P < 0.001) higher in the placebo group than in the vitamin B12 group, respectively. We observed 43 adverse events in 36 children, and these events were not associated with the intervention. In addition, 20 in the vitamin B12 group and 16 in the placebo group were hospitalized during the supplementation period. Important limitations of the study are that the strict inclusion criteria could limit the external validity and that the period of vitamin B12 supplementation might not have covered a critical window for infant growth or brain development. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we observed that vitamin B12 supplementation in young children at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency resulted in an improved metabolic response but did not affect neurodevelopment, growth, or hemoglobin concentration. Our results do not support widespread vitamin B12 supplementation in marginalized infants from low-income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02272842 Universal Trial Number: U1111-1161-5187 (September 8, 2014) Trial Protocol: Original trial protocol: PMID: 28431557 (reference [18]; study protocols and plan of analysis included as Supporting information).
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12
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Dhoubhadel BG, Raya GB, Shrestha D, Shrestha RK, Dhungel Y, Suzuki M, Yasunami M, Smith C, Ariyoshi K, Parry CM. Changes in nutritional status of children who lived in temporary shelters in Bhaktapur municipality after the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Trop Med Health 2020; 48:53. [PMID: 32607058 PMCID: PMC7321544 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-020-00225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The nutritional status of children may deteriorate after natural disasters such as earthquakes. A 7.8 Richter scale earthquake struck Nepal in 2015 that affected 1.1 million children. Children whose homes were destroyed and had to live in temporary shelters were at risk of malnutrition. With the support of Nagasaki University School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH) and Siddhi Memorial Hospital (SMH), we conducted a nutritional survey of under-5 children living in temporary shelters in Bhaktapur Municipality in 2015 immediately after the earthquake and a follow-up survey in 2017.
Results
We found 591 under-5 children living in 22 temporary shelters in 2015. A total of 285 children were followed up and re-assessed in 2017. In a paired analysis (n = 285), the prevalence of underweight children increased from 10.9% in 2015 to 14.0% in 2017 (P < 0.001), stunting increased from 26.7 to 31.9% (P = 0.07), and wasting decreased from 4.2 to 2.5% (P = 0.19).
Conclusions
Children who lived in temporary shelters after the 2015 Nepal earthquake might be at increased risk of a deterioration in nutritional status.
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13
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Alam MA, Richard SA, Fahim SM, Mahfuz M, Nahar B, Das S, Shrestha B, Koshy B, Mduma E, Seidman JC, Murray-Kolb LE, Caulfield LE, Ahmed T. Impact of early-onset persistent stunting on cognitive development at 5 years of age: Results from a multi-country cohort study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227839. [PMID: 31978156 PMCID: PMC6980491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally more than 150 million children under age 5 years were stunted in 2018, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the impact of early-onset, persistent stunting has not been well explored. To explore the association between early-onset persistent stunting in children and cognitive development at 5 years of age, and to identify the factors associated with early-onset stunting. Methods and findings Children from the MAL-ED cohort study were followed from birth to 5 years of age in six LMICs. The Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence (WPPSI) was used to assess cognitive abilities (fluid reasoning) at 5 years and was adapted for each culture. Stunting was categorized as early-onset persistent (first stunted at 1–6 months and persisting at 60 months), early-onset recovered (first stunted at 1–6 months and not stunted at 60 months), late-onset persistent (first stunted at 7–24 months and persisting at 60 months), late-onset recovered (first stunted at 7–24 months and not stunted at 60 months), and never (never stunted). Mixed effects linear models were used to estimate the relationship between stunting status and cognitive development. Children with early-onset persistent stunting had significantly lower cognitive scores (-2.10 (95% CI: -3.85, -0.35)) compared with those who were never stunted. Transferrin receptor (TfR) was also negatively associated with cognitive development (-0.31 (95% CI: -0.49, -0.13)), while the HOME inventory, an index of quality of the home environment (0.46 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.72)) and socio-economic status (1.50 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.98)) were positively associated with cognitive development. Conclusions Early-onset persistent stunting was associated with lower cognitive development in children at 5 years of age in this cohort of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ashraful Alam
- icddr,b, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Stephanie A. Richard
- Fogarty International Center/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Mustafa Mahfuz
- icddr,b, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- * E-mail:
| | - Baitun Nahar
- icddr,b, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Subhasish Das
- icddr,b, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Binod Shrestha
- Water Reed/AFRIMS Research Unit Nepal (WARUN), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Jessica C. Seidman
- Fogarty International Center/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Murray-Kolb
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | | | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- icddr,b, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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14
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Korpe PS, Valencia C, Haque R, Mahfuz M, McGrath M, Houpt E, Kosek M, McCormick BJJ, Penataro Yori P, Babji S, Kang G, Lang D, Gottlieb M, Samie A, Bessong P, Faruque ASG, Mduma E, Nshama R, Havt A, Lima IFN, Lima AAM, Bodhidatta L, Shreshtha A, Petri WA, Ahmed T, Duggal P. Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Cryptosporidiosis in Children From 8 Low-income Sites: Results From the MAL-ED Study. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 67:1660-1669. [PMID: 29701852 PMCID: PMC6233690 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptosporidium species are enteric protozoa that cause significant morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. We characterized the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in children from 8 resource-limited sites in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods Children were enrolled within 17 days of birth and followed twice weekly for 24 months. Diarrheal and monthly surveillance stool samples were tested for Cryptosporidium by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Socioeconomic data were collected by survey, and anthropometry was measured monthly. Results Sixty-five percent (962/1486) of children had a Cryptosporidium infection and 54% (802/1486) had at least 1 Cryptosporidium-associated diarrheal episode. Cryptosporidium diarrhea was more likely to be associated with dehydration (16.5% vs 8.3%, P < .01). Rates of Cryptosporidium diarrhea were highest in the Peru (10.9%) and Pakistan (9.2%) sites. In multivariable regression analysis, overcrowding at home was a significant risk factor for infection in the Bangladesh site (odds ratio, 2.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.2-4.6]). Multiple linear regression demonstrated a decreased length-for-age z score at 24 months in Cryptosporidium-positive children in the India (β = -.26 [95% CI, -.51 to -.01]) and Bangladesh (β = -.20 [95% CI, -.44 to .05]) sites. Conclusions This multicountry cohort study confirmed the association of Cryptosporidium infection with stunting in 2 South Asian sites, highlighting the significance of cryptosporidiosis as a risk factor for poor growth. We observed that the rate, age of onset, and number of repeat infections varied per site; future interventions should be targeted per region to maximize success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonum S Korpe
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cristian Valencia
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka
| | - Mustafa Mahfuz
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka
| | - Monica McGrath
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Fogarty International Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eric Houpt
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
| | - Margaret Kosek
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Pablo Penataro Yori
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Dennis Lang
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael Gottlieb
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - A S G Faruque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka
| | - Esto Mduma
- Haydom Global Health Institute, Tanzania
| | | | - Alexandre Havt
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Ila F N Lima
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Aldo A M Lima
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka
| | - Priya Duggal
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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15
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Colston JM, Zaitchik B, Kang G, Peñataro Yori P, Ahmed T, Lima A, Turab A, Mduma E, Sunder Shrestha P, Bessong P, Peng RD, Black RE, Moulton LH, Kosek MN. Use of earth observation-derived hydrometeorological variables to model and predict rotavirus infection (MAL-ED): a multisite cohort study. Lancet Planet Health 2019; 3:e248-e258. [PMID: 31229000 PMCID: PMC6650544 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(19)30084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change threatens to undermine recent progress in reducing global deaths from diarrhoeal disease in children. However, the scarcity of evidence about how individual environmental factors affect transmission of specific pathogens makes prediction of trends under different climate scenarios challenging. We aimed to model associations between daily estimates of a suite of hydrometeorological variables and rotavirus infection status ascertained through community-based surveillance. METHODS For this analysis of multisite cohort data, rotavirus infection status was ascertained through community-based surveillance of infants in the eight-site MAL-ED cohort study, and matched by date with earth observation estimates of nine hydrometeorological variables from the Global Land Data Assimilation System: daily total precipitation volume (mm), daily total surface runoff (mm), surface pressure (mbar), wind speed (m/s), relative humidity (%), soil moisture (%), solar radiation (W/m2), specific humidity (kg/kg), and average daily temperatures (°C). Lag relationships, independent effects, and interactions were characterised by use of modified Poisson models and compared with and without adjustment for seasonality and between-site variation. Final models were created with stepwise selection of main effects and interactions and their validity assessed by excluding each site in turn and calculating Tjur's Coefficients of Determination. FINDINGS All nine hydrometeorological variables were significantly associated with rotavirus infection after adjusting for seasonality and between-site variation over multiple consecutive or non-consecutive lags, showing complex, often non-linear associations that differed by symptom status and showed considerable mutual interaction. The final models explained 5·9% to 6·2% of the variability in rotavirus infection in the pooled data and their predictions explained between 0·0% and 14·1% of the variability at individual study sites. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that the effect of climate on rotavirus transmission was mediated by four independent mechanisms: waterborne dispersal, airborne dispersal, virus survival on soil and surfaces, and host factors. Earth observation data products available at a global scale and at subdaily resolution can be combined with longitudinal surveillance data to test hypotheses about routes and drivers of transmission but showed little potential for making predictions in this setting. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health, Fogarty International Center; Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; and NASA's Group on Earth Observations Work Programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh M Colston
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Pablo Peñataro Yori
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition & Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Aldo Lima
- Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Ali Turab
- Interactive Research and Development, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Esto Mduma
- Haydom Global Health Institute, Haydom, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Roger D Peng
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert E Black
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lawrence H Moulton
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Margaret N Kosek
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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16
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Kvestad I, Ranjitkar S, Ulak M, Chandyo RK, Shrestha M, Shrestha L, Strand TA, Hysing M. Earthquake Exposure and Post-traumatic Stress Among Nepalese Mothers After the 2015 Earthquakes. Front Psychol 2019; 10:734. [PMID: 31001178 PMCID: PMC6454014 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Nepal suffered from major earthquakes in April 2015 resulting in great damage to the society. The objective of the current study is to describe the earthquake exposure, the impact on family’s daily life and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their association in Nepalese mothers 20 months following the earthquakes. Methods: In a clinical trial in Bhaktapur, Nepal, 558 mothers responded to an inventory on earthquake exposure and the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) 20 months after the earthquakes. In multiple linear regression models, we estimated the associations between the earthquake exposure and the impact on the families’ life and the IES-R score. Results: Over 60% reported that the earthquakes had a great deal of negative impact on their family’s life. In 4.7%, close family members died, and in 10.5%, family members were injured. 24% had IES-R scores indicating PTSD symptoms within clinical concern or a possible diagnosis. Lower levels of education were associated with higher scores on the total IES-R. Mothers who report that the earthquakes had a great deal of negative impact had higher total IES-R scores [9.8, 95% CI (5.9, 13.6)] compared to mothers that reported no such negative impact. Mothers with family members who were killed had higher IES-R scores [3.6, 95% CI (1.6, 5.5)] than those with no family members who died. Mothers assisting in rescue efforts had lower IES-R scores [2.8, 95% CI (0.8, 4.8)] than those not assisting. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates high levels of exposure to traumatic events, large negative impact on the everyday life of the families, and a high level of PTSD symptoms. There was a consistent and graded association between the exposure variables and PTSD symptoms. The large impact of the earthquakes on these Nepalese mothers underscore the importance of awareness of mental disorders following major natural catastrophes for marginalized families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Kvestad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Center, Bergen, Norway
| | - Suman Ranjitkar
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ram K Chandyo
- Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Merina Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Laxman Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tor A Strand
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.,Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mari Hysing
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Center, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Nutrient intake and environmental enteric dysfunction among Nepalese children 9-24 months old-the MAL-ED birth cohort study. Pediatr Res 2018; 84:509-515. [PMID: 30030503 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-018-0108-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutrient deficiencies limit the growth and turnover of intestinal mucosa, but studies assessing whether specific nutrients protect against or improve environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) are scarce. We aimed to investigate associations between nutrient intake and EED assessed by lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratio, anti-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and neopterin (NEO) among children 9-24 months in Bhaktapur, Nepal. METHODS Among 231 included children, nutrient intake was assessed monthly by 24 h recalls, and 3-month usual intake was estimated using Multiple Source Method. Associations between nutrient intake and L:M ratio (measured at 15 months) were assessed using multiple linear regression, while associations between nutrient intake and fecal markers (measured quarterly) were assessed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models. RESULTS We found that associations between nutrient intake from complementary food and L:M ratio, alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), MPO and NEO were generally negative but weak. The only significant associations between nutrient intake (potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, folate, and vitamin C) and markers for intestinal inflammation were found for MPO. CONCLUSION Negative but weak associations between nutrient intake and markers of intestinal inflammation were found. Significant associations between several nutrients and MPO might merit further investigation.
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Environmental Enteropathy, Micronutrient Adequacy, and Length Velocity in Nepalese Children: the MAL-ED Birth Cohort Study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 67:242-249. [PMID: 29620600 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Environmental enteropathy (EE) is likely associated with growth retardation in children, but the association between EE and length velocity z score (LVZ) has not been investigated. The objective of the study was to assess associations between fecal markers for intestinal inflammation and LVZ and whether these associations were influenced by micronutrient adequacy among 9 to 24 months old children in Bhaktapur, Nepal. METHODS Data were divided into 5 time slots (9-12, 12-15, 15-18, 18-21, and 21-24 months). Anthropometric measurement and dietary assessment (by 24 hour recall) were performed monthly. Mean nutrient density adequacy was calculated based on nutrient density adequacy of 10 micronutrients (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc). Anti-1-antitrypsin (AAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and neopterin (NEO) were measured in stool samples collected at the beginning of each time slot. An EE score was calculated based on all 3 fecal markers. Associations between AAT, MPO, NEO and EE score and LVZ were assessed by multiple linear regression analyses and Generalized Estimating Equations models. RESULTS Associations between fecal markers and EE score and LVZ were generally weak. EE score and MPO for 3-month and MPO for 6-month growth periods were significantly associated with LVZ from 9 to 24 months. These associations were slightly modified by mean nutrient density adequacy. CONCLUSIONS EE score and MPO were significantly associated with LVZ in 9 to 24 months old Nepali children. Further studies to establish the usefulness of AAT, MPO, and NEO in assessing EE and growth retardation are warranted.
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Colston JM, Ahmed T, Mahopo C, Kang G, Kosek M, de Sousa Junior F, Shrestha PS, Svensen E, Turab A, Zaitchik B. Evaluating meteorological data from weather stations, and from satellites and global models for a multi-site epidemiological study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 165:91-109. [PMID: 29684739 PMCID: PMC6024078 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Longitudinal and time series analyses are needed to characterize the associations between hydrometeorological parameters and health outcomes. Earth Observation (EO) climate data products derived from satellites and global model-based reanalysis have the potential to be used as surrogates in situations and locations where weather-station based observations are inadequate or incomplete. However, these products often lack direct evaluation at specific sites of epidemiological interest. METHODS Standard evaluation metrics of correlation, agreement, bias and error were applied to a set of ten hydrometeorological variables extracted from two quasi-global, commonly used climate data products - the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) and Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) - to evaluate their performance relative to weather-station derived estimates at the specific geographic locations of the eight sites in a multi-site cohort study. These metrics were calculated for both daily estimates and 7-day averages and for a rotavirus-peak-season subset. Then the variables from the two sources were each used as predictors in longitudinal regression models to test their association with rotavirus infection in the cohort after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS The availability and completeness of station-based validation data varied depending on the variable and study site. The performance of the two gridded climate models varied considerably within the same location and for the same variable across locations, according to different evaluation criteria and for the peak-season compared to the full dataset in ways that showed no obvious pattern. They also differed in the statistical significance of their association with the rotavirus outcome. For some variables, the station-based records showed a strong association while the EO-derived estimates showed none, while for others, the opposite was true. CONCLUSION Researchers wishing to utilize publicly available climate data - whether EO-derived or station based - are advised to recognize their specific limitations both in the analysis and the interpretation of the results. Epidemiologists engaged in prospective research into environmentally driven diseases should install their own weather monitoring stations at their study sites whenever possible, in order to circumvent the constraints of choosing between distant or incomplete station data or unverified EO estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh M Colston
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition & Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Cloupas Mahopo
- Department of Nutrition, University of Venda, South Africa.
| | | | - Margaret Kosek
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Prakash Sunder Shrestha
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine of Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | | | - Ali Turab
- Research and Development, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Benjamin Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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20
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Morseth MS, Torheim LE, Chandyo RK, Ulak M, Shrestha SK, Shrestha B, Pripp AH, Henjum S. Severely inadequate micronutrient intake among children 9-24 months in Nepal-The MAL-ED birth cohort study. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2018; 14:e12552. [PMID: 29094796 PMCID: PMC6866178 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies is high among infants and children in low- and middle income countries, but knowledge about nutrient adequacy across the complementary feeding period is limited. We investigated probability of adequacy (PA) of breast milk and complementary food combined and nutrient density adequacy (NDA) of complementary food and tracking of NDA over time among 229 children from 9-24 months of age in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Monthly, 24 h dietary recalls (16 in total) were performed and subgrouped into four 4-month time periods. Ten micronutrients (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 , folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc) were assessed. Nutrient density was defined as the amount of a nutrient in a child's complementary food per 100 kcal, whereas NDA was the nutrient density as percentage of the context specific desired nutrient density. Tracking of NDA was investigated using generalized estimating equations models. PA for B vitamins (except riboflavin), vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc (low absorption group) was very low (0% to 8%) at all time slots. Median (IQR) mean PA (of all 10 micronutrients) increased from 11% (9, 15) in the second to 21% (10, 35) in the last time slot. Median value for mean nutrient density adequacy of all micronutrients varied between 42% and 52%. Finally, tracking of NDA was low (correlation <0.30) or moderate (0.30-0.60) indicating poor association between the first and subsequent measurements of NDA. These findings raise grave concerns about micronutrient adequacy among young children in Nepal. Urgent interventions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ram K. Chandyo
- Kathmandu Medical CollegeKathmanduNepal
- University of BergenBergenNorway
- Institute of MedicineKathmanduNepal
| | | | - Sanjaya K. Shrestha
- University of BergenBergenNorway
- Institute of MedicineKathmanduNepal
- Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences Research UnitKathmanduNepal
| | - Binob Shrestha
- Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences Research UnitKathmanduNepal
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21
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Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Subclinical Infection and Coinfections and Impaired Child Growth in the MAL-ED Cohort Study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 66:325-333. [PMID: 29356769 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the impact of subclinical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) infection alone and in combination with other pathogens in the first 6 months of life on child growth. METHODS Nondiarrheal samples from 1684 children across 8 Multisite Birth Cohort Study, Malnutrition and Enteric Diseases (MAL-ED) sites in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were tested monthly; more than 90% of children were followed-up twice weekly for the first 6 months of life. RESULTS Children with subclinical EAEC infection did not show altered growth between enrollment and 6 months. Conversely, EAEC coinfection with any other pathogen was negatively associated with delta weight-for-length (P < 0.05) and weight-for-age (P > 0.05) z scores between 0 and 6 months. The presence of 2 or more pathogens without EAEC was not significantly associated with delta weight-for-length and weight-for-age. The most frequent EAEC coinfections included Campylobacter spp, heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E coli, Cryptosporidium spp, and atypical enteropathogenic E coli. Myeloperoxidase levels were increased with EAEC coinfection (P < 0.05). EAEC pathogen codetection was associated with lower neopterin levels compared to those of no-pathogen control children (P < 0.05). Mothers of children with EAEC coinfections had lower levels of education, poorer hygiene and sanitation, lower socioeconomic status, and lower breast-feeding rates compared to mothers of children in whom no pathogen was detected (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data emphasize the public health importance of subclinical EAEC infection in early infancy in association with other pathogens and the need for improved maternal and child care, hygiene, sanitation, and socioeconomic factors.
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Tracking of infant and young child feeding practices among 9- to 24-month-old children in Nepal: the MAL-ED Birth Cohort Study. Public Health Nutr 2017; 21:355-364. [PMID: 29037267 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980017002294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and the tracking of dietary diversity score (DDS), intakes of Fe- and vitamin A-rich foods and meal frequency in a peri-urban area in Nepal. Furthermore, to explore whether sociodemographic factors were associated with tracking patterns of these IYCF practices. DESIGN Longitudinal study. Monthly food intake was measured by 24 h recall. Four time slots were used (9-12, 13-16, 17-20 and 21-24 months). Tracking of IYCF practices was investigated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) models and Cohen's weighted kappa. Multinominal logistic regression was used to identify determinants for tracking of the IYCF practices. SETTING Bhaktapur municipality, Nepal. SUBJECTS Children (n 229) aged 9-24 months, randomly selected. RESULTS Prevalence of minimum meal frequency was higher than for minimum dietary diversity at all time slots. Tracking based on absolute measures (GEE models) was moderate for DDS (0·48) and meal frequency (0·53), and low for intakes of Fe- (0·23) and vitamin A-rich (0·35) foods. Tracking based on rank measured was moderate for DDS and meal frequency, and fair for Fe- and vitamin A-rich foods. Low socio-economic status significantly increased the odds (OR; 95 % CI) of tracking of low v. high DDS (3·31; 1·44, 7·60) and meal frequency (3·46; 1·54, 7·76). CONCLUSIONS Low tracking for intakes of Fe- and vitamin A-rich foods implies that interventions to improve these IYCF practices must address underlying causes for irregular intake to have sustainable effects.
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23
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Jones PC, Pendergast LL, Schaefer BA, Rasheed M, Svensen E, Scharf R, Shrestha R, Maphula A, Roshan R, Rasmussen Z, Seidman JC, Murray-Kolb LE. Measuring home environments across cultures: Invariance of the HOME scale across eight international sites from the MAL-ED study. J Sch Psychol 2017; 64:109-127. [PMID: 28735604 PMCID: PMC5540057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The home environment provides the context for much of a child's early development. Examples of important aspects of the home environment include safety, cleanliness, and opportunities for cognitive stimulation. This study sought to examine the psychometric properties of an adapted form of the Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment (HOME; Caldwell & Bradley, 1984, 2003) across the eight international sites of the MAL-ED project (Dhaka, Bangladesh; Vellore, India; Bhakatapur, Nepal; Naushahro Feroze, Pakistan; Fortaleza, Brazil; Loreto, Peru; Venda, South Africa; Haydom, Tanzania), to identify a factor structure that fit the data at all sites, and to derive a subset of items that could be used to examine home environmental characteristics across sites. A three-factor structure (i.e., Emotional and Verbal Responsivity; Clean and Safe Environment; Child Cleanliness) was identified, and partial measurement equivalence/invariance across sites was supported. Overall, these findings lend support for the use of portions of this abbreviated and adapted version of the HOME for use among heterogeneous, cross-cultural groups in low- and middle-income nations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Erling Svensen
- University of Bergen, Norway; Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania
| | | | - Rita Shrestha
- Institute of Medicine, Tribuhvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Zeba Rasmussen
- Fogarty International Center/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica C Seidman
- Fogarty International Center/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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24
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Mohan VR, Karthikeyan R, Babji S, McGrath M, Shrestha S, Shrestha J, Mdumah E, Amour C, Samie A, Nyathi E, Haque R, Qureshi S, Yori PP, Lima AAM, Bodhidatta L, Svensen E, Bessong P, Ahmed T, Seidman JC, Zaidi AKM, Kosek MN, Guerrant RL, Gratz J, Platts-Mills JA, Lang DR, Gottlieb M, Houpt ER, Kang G. Rotavirus Infection and Disease in a Multisite Birth Cohort: Results From the MAL-ED Study. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:305-316. [PMID: 28472348 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a multicountry birth cohort study, we describe rotavirus infection in the first 2 years of life in sites with and without rotavirus vaccination programs. Methods Children were recruited by 17 days of age and followed to 24 months with collection of monthly surveillance and diarrheal stools. Data on sociodemographics, feeding, and illness were collected at defined intervals. Stools were tested for rotavirus and sera for antirotavirus immunoglobulins by enzyme immunoassays. Results A total of 1737 children contributed 22646 surveillance and 7440 diarrheal specimens. Overall, rotavirus was detected in 5.5% (408/7440) of diarrheal stools, and 344 (19.8%) children ever had rotavirus gastroenteritis. Household overcrowding and a high pathogen load were consistent risk factors for infection and disease. Three prior infections conferred 74% (P < .001) protection against subsequent infection in sites not using vaccine. In Peru, incidence of rotavirus disease was relatively higher during the second year of life despite high vaccination coverage. Conclusions Rotavirus infection and disease were common, but with significant heterogeneity by site. Protection by vaccination may not be sustained in the second year of life in settings with high burdens of transmission and poor response to oral vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sudhir Babji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Monica McGrath
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sanjaya Shrestha
- Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) Research Unit Nepal.,Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Jasmin Shrestha
- Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) Research Unit Nepal.,Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Pablo Peñataro Yori
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Aldo A M Lima
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Ladaporn Bodhidatta
- Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) Research Unit Nepal.,Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jessica C Seidman
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Margaret N Kosek
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Richard L Guerrant
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Jean Gratz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - James A Platts-Mills
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Dennis R Lang
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael Gottlieb
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eric R Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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25
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Age and Sex Normalization of Intestinal Permeability Measures for the Improved Assessment of Enteropathy in Infancy and Early Childhood: Results From the MAL-ED Study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017. [PMID: 28644347 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to describe changes in intestinal permeability in early childhood in diverse epidemiologic settings. METHODS In a birth cohort study, the lactulose:mannitol (L:M) test was administered to 1980 children at 4 time points in the first 24 months of life in 8 countries. Data from the Brazil site with an incidence of diarrhea similar to that seen in the United States and no growth faltering was used as an internal study reference to derive age- and sex-specific z scores for mannitol and lactulose recoveries and the L:M ratio. RESULTS A total of 6602 tests demonstrated mannitol recovery, lactulose recovery, and the L:M ratio were associated with country, sex, and age. There was heterogeneity in the recovery of both probes between sites with mean mannitol recovery ranging for 1.34% to 5.88%, lactulose recovery of 0.19% to 0.58%, and L:M ratios 0.10 to 0.17 in boys of 3 months of age across different sites. We observed strong sex-specific differences in both mannitol and lactulose recovery, with boys having higher recovery of both probes. Alterations in intestinal barrier function increased in most sites from 3 to 9 months of age and plateaued or diminished from 9 to 15 months of age. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in recovery of the probes differ markedly in different epidemiologic contexts in children living in the developing world. The rate of change in the L:M-z ratio was most rapid and consistently disparate from the reference standard in the period between 6 and 9 months of age, suggesting that this is a critical period of physiologic impact of enteropathy in these populations.
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26
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Schwinger C, Fadnes LT, Shrestha SK, Shrestha PS, Chandyo RK, Shrestha B, Ulak M, Bodhidatta L, Mason C, Strand TA. Predicting Undernutrition at Age 2 Years with Early Attained Weight and Length Compared with Weight and Length Velocity. J Pediatr 2017; 182:127-132.e1. [PMID: 27974166 PMCID: PMC5323241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the abilities of weight and length velocities vs attained growth measures to predict stunting, wasting, and underweight at age 2 years. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed data from a community-based cohort study (The Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development study [MAL-ED] study) in Bhaktapur, Nepal. A total of 240 randomly selected children were enrolled at birth and followed up monthly up to age 24 months. Linear and logistic regression models were used to predict malnutrition at 2 years of age with growth velocity z scores at 0-3, 0-6, 3-6, 6-9, 6-12, and 9-12 months (using the World Health Organization Growth Standards) or attained growth at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months as predictors. RESULTS At age 2 years, 4% of the children were wasted, 13% underweight, and 21% stunted. Children who were malnourished at age 2 years had lower mean growth z scores already at birth and throughout the study period. Anthropometric indicators in infancy were significant predictors for growth at the age of 2 years during most periods and at most ages in infancy. Weight-for-age z score, length-for-age z score, and weight-for-length z score at age 12 months had excellent areas under the curve (91-95) to predict the value of the same indicator at age 24 months. Maximum area under the curve values for weight and length velocity were somewhat lower (70-84). CONCLUSIONS Growth measured at one time point in infancy was better correlated with undernutrition at age 2 years than growth velocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Schwinger
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Lars T Fadnes
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sanjaya K Shrestha
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Research Unit, Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Ram Krishna Chandyo
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribuhvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Binob Shrestha
- Research Unit, Walter Reed/Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribuhvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ladaporn Bodhidatta
- Department of Enteric Diseases, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Carl Mason
- Department of Enteric Diseases, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tor A Strand
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
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Aflatoxin exposure during the first 36 months of life was not associated with impaired growth in Nepalese children: An extension of the MAL-ED study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172124. [PMID: 28212415 PMCID: PMC5315312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to aflatoxin, a mycotoxin common in many foods, has been associated with child growth impairment in sub-Saharan Africa. To improve our understanding of growth impairment in relation to aflatoxin and other risk factors, we assessed biospecimens collected in Nepalese children at 15, 24, and 36 months of age for aflatoxin exposure. Children (N = 85) enrolled in the Bhaktapur, Nepal MAL-ED study encompassed the cohort analysed in this study. Exposure was assessed through a plasma biomarker of aflatoxin exposure: the AFB1-lysine adduct. The aflatoxin exposures in the study participants were compared to anthropometrics at each time period (length-for-age [LAZ], weight-for-age [WAZ], and weight-for-length [WLZ] z-scores), growth trajectories over time, age, and breastfeeding status. Results demonstrated chronic aflatoxin exposure in this cohort of children, with a geometric mean of 3.62 pg AFB1-lysine/mg albumin. However, the chronic aflatoxin exposure in this cohort was not significantly associated with anthropometric z-scores, growth trajectories, age, or feeding status, based on the available time points to assess aflatoxin exposure. Low mean levels of aflatoxin exposure and infrequent occurrence of stunting, wasting, or underweight z-score values in this cohort are possible contributing factors to a lack of evidence for an association. Further research is needed to examine whether a threshold dose of aflatoxin exists that could induce child growth impairment.
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28
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Hoest C, Seidman JC, Lee G, Platts-Mills JA, Ali A, Olortegui MP, Bessong P, Chandyo R, Babji S, Mohan VR, Mondal D, Mahfuz M, Mduma ER, Nyathi E, Abreu C, Miller MA, Pan W, Mason CJ, Knobler SL. Vaccine coverage and adherence to EPI schedules in eight resource poor settings in the MAL-ED cohort study. Vaccine 2017; 35:443-451. [PMID: 27998640 PMCID: PMC5244255 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.11.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Launched in 1974, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is estimated to prevent two-three million deaths annually from polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis, measles, and tetanus. Additional lives could be saved through better understanding what influences adherence to the EPI schedule in specific settings. METHODS The Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) study followed cohorts in eight sites in South Asia, Africa, and South America and monitored vaccine receipt over the first two years of life for the children enrolled in the study. Vaccination histories were obtained monthly from vaccination cards, local clinic records and/or caregiver reports. Vaccination histories were compared against the prescribed EPI schedules for each country, and coverage rates were examined in relation to the timing of vaccination. The influence of socioeconomic factors on vaccine timing and coverage was also considered. RESULTS Coverage rates for EPI vaccines varied between sites and by type of vaccine; overall, coverage was highest in the Nepal and Bangladesh sites and lowest in the Tanzania and Brazil sites. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin coverage was high across all sites, 87-100%, whereas measles vaccination rates ranged widely, 73-100%. Significant delays between the scheduled administration age and actual vaccination date were present in all sites, especially for measles vaccine where less than 40% were administered on schedule. A range of socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with vaccination status in study children but these results were largely site-specific. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need to improve measles vaccination rates and reduce delayed vaccination to achieve EPI targets related to the establishment of herd immunity and reduction in disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Hoest
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies of Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, 16 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Jessica C Seidman
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies of Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, 16 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gwenyth Lee
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - James A Platts-Mills
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801340, 345 Crispell Drive, Carter Harrison Building, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Asad Ali
- Aga Khan University, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Maribel Paredes Olortegui
- Asociaciόn Benéfica Proyectos de Informática, Salud, Medicina, y Agricultura (A.B. PRISMA), Ramirez Hurtado 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Pascal Bessong
- HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Ram Chandyo
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Katmandu, Nepal; Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sudhir Babji
- Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences/Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
| | - Venkata Raghava Mohan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences/Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre For Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mustafa Mahfuz
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre For Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Estomih R Mduma
- Haydom Lutheran Hospital, POB 9041, Haydom, Manyara Region, Tanzania
| | - Emanuel Nyathi
- HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Claudia Abreu
- Instituto de Biomedicina, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina Federal University of Ceara, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1315, CEP: 60.430-270 - C.P. 3229 - Porangabussu, Fortaleza Ceará, Brazil
| | - Mark A Miller
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies of Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, 16 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - William Pan
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy and the Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carl J Mason
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Stacey L Knobler
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies of Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, 16 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Mitchell NJ, Riley RT, Egner PA, Groopman JD, Wu F. Chronic aflatoxin exposure in children living in Bhaktapur, Nepal: Extension of the MAL-ED study. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017; 27:106-111. [PMID: 26732375 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2015.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to aflatoxin, a mycotoxin common in maize and groundnuts, has been associated with childhood stunting in sub-Saharan Africa. In an effort to further our understanding of growth impairment in relation to mycotoxins and other risk factors, biospecimens from a cohort of children enrolled in the Bhaktapur, Nepal MAL-ED study were assessed for aflatoxin exposure at 15, 24, and 36 months of age. Exposure was assessed through a well-established serum biomarker, the AFB1-lysine adduct. In this manuscript, the levels of aflatoxin exposure in the Nepal cohort were compared with those observed in aflatoxin studies, with child growth parameters as a health outcome. Results from this preliminary analysis demonstrated chronic aflatoxin exposure in children residing in Bhaktapur with a geometric mean of 3.62 pg AFB1-lysine/mg albumin. The range of exposure in this population is similar to those in African populations where associations with aflatoxin biomarkers and poor child growth have been observed. Future work will analyze the relationships between aflatoxin levels, growth, and other risk factors collected by the MAL-ED study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J Mitchell
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Ronald T Riley
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, National Poultry Disease Research Center, R.B. Russell Research Center, USDA-ARS, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Patricia A Egner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John D Groopman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Ambikapathi R, Kosek MN, Lee GO, Mahopo C, Patil CL, Maciel BL, Turab A, Islam MM, Ulak M, Bose A, Paredes Olortegui M, Pendergast LL, Murray-Kolb LE, Lang D, McCormick BJJ, Caulfield LE. How multiple episodes of exclusive breastfeeding impact estimates of exclusive breastfeeding duration: report from the eight-site MAL-ED birth cohort study. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2016; 12:740-56. [PMID: 27500709 PMCID: PMC5095788 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is often defined as the time from birth to the first non‐breast milk food/liquid fed (EBFLONG), or it is estimated by calculating the proportion of women at a given infant age who EBF in the previous 24 h (EBFDHS). Others have measured the total days or personal prevalence of EBF (EBFPREV), recognizing that although non‐EBF days may occur, EBF can be re‐initiated for extended periods. We compared breastfeeding metrics in the MAL‐ED study; infants' breastfeeding trajectories were characterized from enrollment (median 7 days, IQR: 4, 12) to 180 days at eight sites. During twice‐weekly surveillance, caretakers were queried about infant feeding the prior day. Overall, 101 833 visits and 356 764 child days of data were collected from 1957 infants. Median duration of EBFLONG was 33 days (95% CI: 32–36), compared to 49 days based on the EBFDHS. Median EBFPREV was 66 days (95% CI: 62–70). Differences were because of the return to EBF after a non‐EBF period. The median number of returns to EBF was 2 (IQR: 1, 3). When mothers re‐initiated EBF (second episode), infants gained an additional 18.8 days (SD: 25.1) of EBF, and gained 13.7 days (SD: 18.1) (third episode). In settings where women report short gaps in EBF, programmes should work with women to return to EBF. Interventions could positively influence the duration of these additional periods of EBF and their quantification should be considered in impact evaluation studies. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ambikapathi
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Margaret N Kosek
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gwenyth O Lee
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cloupas Mahopo
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa
| | - Crystal L Patil
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bruna L Maciel
- Department of Nutrition, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ali Turab
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - M Munirul Islam
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Security, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Manjeswori Ulak
- Department of Child Health and Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Laura L Pendergast
- School Psychology Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura E Murray-Kolb
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dennis Lang
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Laura E Caulfield
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We highlight recent advances relevant to understanding norovirus infections in the tropics, both in populations living in developing settings and travelers to these regions. RECENT FINDINGS Because of the decrease in diarrheal disease associated with the global rollout of vaccines against rotavirus, norovirus is emerging as the predominant cause of diarrhea morbidity among children in the tropics, and evidence suggests that it contributes to adult disease in endemic populations and travelers. In addition to identifying potential target populations for preventive measures, we provide an update on norovirus vaccine development and concepts related to their implementation in low-income and middle-income countries. SUMMARY These current concepts related to norovirus-attributable disease burden, clinical significance, and economic impact can potentially be applied to tailoring efforts to prevent and mitigate the effects of this important enteropathogen.
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Foot Length, Chest Circumference, and Mid Upper Arm Circumference Are Good Predictors of Low Birth Weight and Prematurity in Ethnic Minority Newborns in Vietnam: A Hospital-Based Observational Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142420. [PMID: 26555356 PMCID: PMC4640656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The evaluation of tools to accurately identify low birth weight (LBW) and/or premature newborns in resource-limited countries is a research priority. We explored the use of foot length, chest circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measured within 24 h as diagnostic tools for identifying newborns who are LBW, premature, or both; and compared measurements taken at birth with those taken at five days of age. Materials and Methods An observational study was undertaken in Hoa Binh Province General Hospital, Vietnam, in ethnic minority newborns. Birth weight, foot length, chest circumference, and MUAC were measured within 24 h of birth and in a subset of 200, were repeated on day five of life. Gestational age was estimated using the New Ballard Score. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves and optimal cut-points (the point with the highest sensitivity and specificity where the sensitivity was at least 0.8) were calculated, for predicting prematurity, LBW, and both. Measurements within 24 h and at five days of life were compared. Results 485 newborns were recruited. Chest circumference and MUAC measured within 24 h of birth were found to be highly predictive of LBW (both yielding area under the curve [AUC] of 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–0.99), and performed marginally better than foot length (AUC 0.94, 95%CI 0.92–0.96). The optimal cut-points for measurements within 24 h of birth were ≤7.4cm for foot length; ≤30.4cm for chest circumference; and ≤ 9.0cm for MUAC. There was statistical evidence that anthropometric measurements taken within 24 h of birth were higher than measurements on day five (p<0.02 for all anthropometric measurements) but the magnitude of these differences was small (at most 2mm). Conclusions All measurements taken within 24 h of birth were good predictors of LBW, prematurity and both. Differences in measurements taken within 24 h and on day five were not clinically relevant. Further research will ensure that the application of these measures is reliable in community settings.
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Platts-Mills JA, Babji S, Bodhidatta L, Gratz J, Haque R, Havt A, McCormick BJ, McGrath M, Olortegui MP, Samie A, Shakoor S, Mondal D, Lima IF, Hariraju D, Rayamajhi BB, Qureshi S, Kabir F, Yori PP, Mufamadi B, Amour C, Carreon JD, Richard SA, Lang D, Bessong P, Mduma E, Ahmed T, Lima AA, Mason CJ, Zaidi AK, Bhutta ZA, Kosek M, Guerrant RL, Gottlieb M, Miller M, Kang G, Houpt ER. Pathogen-specific burdens of community diarrhoea in developing countries: a multisite birth cohort study (MAL-ED). LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2015. [PMID: 26202075 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(15)00151-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 610] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies of the causes of diarrhoea in low-income and middle-income countries have looked at severe disease in people presenting for care, and there are few estimates of pathogen-specific diarrhoea burdens in the community. METHODS We undertook a birth cohort study with not only intensive community surveillance for diarrhoea but also routine collection of non-diarrhoeal stools from eight sites in South America, Africa, and Asia. We enrolled children within 17 days of birth, and diarrhoeal episodes (defined as maternal report of three or more loose stools in 24 h, or one loose stool with visible blood) were identified through twice-weekly home visits by fieldworkers over a follow-up period of 24 months. Non-diarrhoeal stool specimens were also collected for surveillance for months 1-12, 15, 18, 21, and 24. Stools were analysed for a broad range of enteropathogens using culture, enzyme immunoassay, and PCR. We used the adjusted attributable fraction (AF) to estimate pathogen-specific burdens of diarrhoea. FINDINGS Between November 26, 2009, and February 25, 2014, we tested 7318 diarrhoeal and 24 310 non-diarrhoeal stools collected from 2145 children aged 0-24 months. Pathogen detection was common in non-diarrhoeal stools but was higher with diarrhoea. Norovirus GII (AF 5·2%, 95% CI 3·0-7·1), rotavirus (4·8%, 4·5-5·0), Campylobacter spp (3·5%, 0·4-6·3), astrovirus (2·7%, 2·2-3·1), and Cryptosporidium spp (2·0%, 1·3-2·6) exhibited the highest attributable burdens of diarrhoea in the first year of life. The major pathogens associated with diarrhoea in the second year of life were Campylobacter spp (7·9%, 3·1-12·1), norovirus GII (5·4%, 2·1-7·8), rotavirus (4·9%, 4·4-5·2), astrovirus (4·2%, 3·5-4·7), and Shigella spp (4·0%, 3·6-4·3). Rotavirus had the highest AF for sites without rotavirus vaccination and the fifth highest AF for sites with the vaccination. There was substantial variation in pathogens according to geography, diarrhoea severity, and season. Bloody diarrhoea was primarily associated with Campylobacter spp and Shigella spp, fever and vomiting with rotavirus, and vomiting with norovirus GII. INTERPRETATION There was substantial heterogeneity in pathogen-specific burdens of diarrhoea, with important determinants including age, geography, season, rotavirus vaccine usage, and symptoms. These findings suggest that although single-pathogen strategies have an important role in the reduction of the burden of severe diarrhoeal disease, the effect of such interventions on total diarrhoeal incidence at the community level might be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Platts-Mills
- 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; Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Haydom, Tanzania
| | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Alexandre Havt
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Monica McGrath
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dinesh Mondal
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ila Fn Lima
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - J Daniel Carreon
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie A Richard
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dennis Lang
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Esto Mduma
- Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Haydom, Tanzania
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Aldo Aam Lima
- Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Carl J Mason
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Margaret Kosek
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Richard L Guerrant
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michael Gottlieb
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Miller
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Eric R Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Patil CL, Turab A, Ambikapathi R, Nesamvuni C, Chandyo RK, Bose A, Islam MM, Ahmed AMS, Olortegui MP, de Moraes ML, Caulfield LE. Early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding: results from the eight-country MAL-ED study. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2015; 34:10. [PMID: 26825923 PMCID: PMC5025973 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-015-0004-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report the infant feeding experiences in the first month of life for 2,053 infants participating in "Malnutrition and Enteric Infections: Consequences for Child Health and Development" (MAL-ED). Eight sites (in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania), each followed a cohort of children from birth (by day 17), collecting detailed information on infant feeding practices, diet and illness episodes. Mothers were queried twice weekly regarding health status, breastfeeding and the introduction (or no) of non-breast milk liquids and foods. Here, our goal is to describe the early infant feeding practices in the cohort and evaluate factors associated with termination of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of life. With data from enrollment to a visit at 28-33 days of life, we characterized exclusive, predominant or partial breastfeeding (using a median of 6-9 visits per child across the sites). Only 6 of 2,053 infants were never breastfed. By one month, the prevalences of exclusive breastfeeding were < 60% in 6 of 8 sites, and of partial breastfeeding (or no) were > 20% in 6 of 8 sites. Logistic regression revealed that prelacteal feeding (given to 4-63% of infants) increased the likelihood of partial breastfeeding (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 2.10), as did the withholding of colostrum (2-16% of infants) (OR: 1.63:1.01, 2.62), and being a first-time mother (OR: 1.38:1.10, 1.75). Our results reveal diversity across these sites, but an overall trend of early transition away from exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of life. Interventions which introduce or reinforce the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding are needed in these sites to improve breastfeeding initiation, to reinforce exclusive breastfeeding and delay introduction of non-breast milk foods and/or liquids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal L Patil
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ali Turab
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Ramya Ambikapathi
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Cebisa Nesamvuni
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
| | - Ram Krishna Chandyo
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway and Department of Child Health and Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | | | - M Munirul Islam
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Security, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | | | | | - Milena Lima de Moraes
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, W2041, Baltimore, MD, USA, 21205.
| | - Laura E Caulfield
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, W2041, Baltimore, MD, USA, 21205.
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Hoest C, Seidman JC, Pan W, Ambikapathi R, Kang G, Kosek M, Knobler S, Mason CJ, Miller M. Evaluating associations between vaccine response and malnutrition, gut function, and enteric infections in the MAL-ED cohort study: methods and challenges. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 59 Suppl 4:S273-9. [PMID: 25305297 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most vaccine assessments have occurred in well-nourished populations of higher socioeconomic status. However, vaccines are often used in populations with high incidences of malnutrition and infections, in whom the effectiveness of some vaccines is inferior for unknown reasons. The degree and extent of vaccine underperformance have not been systematically studied for most vaccines across differing epidemiologic settings. This paper outlines the methods used and challenges associated with measuring immunological responses to oral vaccines against poliovirus and rotavirus, and parenteral vaccines against pertussis, tetanus, and measles in an observational study that monitored daily illness, monthly growth, intestinal inflammation and permeability, pathogen burden, dietary intake, and micronutrient status in children in 8 countries. This evaluation of vaccine response in the context of low- and middle-income countries is intended to address the gaps in knowledge of the heterogeneity in vaccine response in diverse epidemiological settings and the interplay between infections, nutrition, and immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Hoest
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jessica C Seidman
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William Pan
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy and the Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ramya Ambikapathi
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Margaret Kosek
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stacey Knobler
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Carl J Mason
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mark Miller
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Richard SA, Barrett LJ, Guerrant RL, Checkley W, Miller MA. Disease surveillance methods used in the 8-site MAL-ED cohort study. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 59 Suppl 4:S220-4. [PMID: 25305290 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Describing the early life associations between infectious disease episodes and growth, cognitive development, and vaccine response in the first 2 years of life is one of the primary goals of the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) cohort study. To collect high-resolution data during a critical early period of development, field staff visit each study participant at their house twice weekly from birth to 2 years of age to collect daily reported illness and treatment data from caregivers. Detailed infectious disease histories will not only allow us to relate the overall burden of infectious disease with the primary outcomes of the study, but will also allow us to describe the ages at which infectious diseases have the greatest effect on child health. In addition, twice-weekly visits allow for sample collection when diarrhea episodes are identified. This article describes the methods used to collect illness and treatment history data and discusses the a priori definitions of diarrhea and acute lower respiratory illness episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Richard
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Leah J Barrett
- Center for Global Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
| | - Richard L Guerrant
- Center for Global Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
| | - William Checkley
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland Program in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark A Miller
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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The MAL-ED study: a multinational and multidisciplinary approach to understand the relationship between enteric pathogens, malnutrition, gut physiology, physical growth, cognitive development, and immune responses in infants and children up to 2 years of age in resource-poor environments. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 59 Suppl 4:S193-206. [PMID: 25305287 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly prevalent conditions with multiple and complex underlying etiologies are a challenge to public health. Undernutrition, for example, affects 20% of children in the developing world. The cause and consequence of poor nutrition are multifaceted. Undernutrition has been associated with half of all deaths worldwide in children aged <5 years; in addition, its pernicious long-term effects in early childhood have been associated with cognitive and physical growth deficits across multiple generations and have been thought to suppress immunity to further infections and to reduce the efficacy of childhood vaccines. The Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health (MAL-ED) Study, led by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, has been established at sites in 8 countries with historically high incidence of diarrheal disease and undernutrition. Central to the study is the hypothesis that enteropathogen infection contributes to undernutrition by causing intestinal inflammation and/or by altering intestinal barrier and absorptive function. It is further postulated that this leads to growth faltering and deficits in cognitive development. The effects of repeated enteric infection and undernutrition on the immune response to childhood vaccines is also being examined in the study. MAL-ED uses a prospective longitudinal design that offers a unique opportunity to directly address a complex system of exposures and health outcomes in the community-rather than the relatively rarer circumstances that lead to hospitalization-during the critical period of development of the first 2 years of life. Among the factors being evaluated are enteric infections (with or without diarrhea) and other illness indicators, micronutrient levels, diet, socioeconomic status, gut function, and the environment. MAL-ED aims to describe these factors, their interrelationships, and their overall impact on health outcomes in unprecedented detail, and to make individual, site-specific, and generalized recommendations regarding the nature and timing of possible interventions aimed at improving child health and development in these resource-poor settings.
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