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Gutiérrez L, Bartelt L. Current Understanding of Giardia lamblia and Pathogenesis of Stunting and Cognitive Deficits in Children from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2024; 11:28-39. [PMID: 38993355 PMCID: PMC11238937 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-024-00314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Giardia lamblia is a common intestinal parasite worldwide, mainly in children from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Also, it has been associated with increased intestinal permeability, stunting, and cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, the pathogenesis of long-term consequences is difficult to elucidate. Recent Findings Recent studies try to understand the long-term consequences of Giardia infections. First, well-characterized studies associate Giardia with intestinal damage and child growth. Second, infections appear not to be associated with inflammation, but "lack of inflammation" may not, however, entirely exclude a pro-inflammatory pathway. Finally, some important amino acids are lower and could contribute to prolongate stunting and cognitive deficit. Summary Giardia infections in LMIC used to be associated with child growth shortfalls, gut permeability, and cognitive deficits. Multifactorial effects could be associated with Giardia, including nutritional, altered microbiota, and generation of potentially toxic microbial metabolic byproducts, all together increasing risk of long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester Gutiérrez
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Luther Bartelt
- Departments of Medicine, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Sewor C, Jayalakshmi R. Trends of risk factors associated with childhood stunting and anaemia in Ghana: evidence from the Demographic Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2003-2017). Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e29. [PMID: 38253537 PMCID: PMC10830376 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the trend of effect estimates of the key risk factors of childhood stunting and anaemia between 2003 and 2017. DESIGN A secondary analysis of the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data for the Ghanaian population between 2003 and 2017. Associations of selected socio-demographic (child age and gender; maternal age and education), economic (household wealth), environmental, dietary (minimum dietary diversity and iodine use) and health system (place of delivery and vaccination) factors were explored using the Poisson regression model. Trend analysis was explored using a fitted linear regression line on a time series plot. SETTING Ghana. PARTICIPANTS Children under 5 years. RESULTS The results showed a reduction in the prevalence of stunting and anaemia over the 15-year duration. These health outcomes were found to be negatively associated with a wide array of socio-demographic (child age and gender, maternal age and education, residency), economic (household wealth), dietary (iodised salt use) and health service (place of delivery and vaccination) factors; however, the most consistent statistically significant association was observed between child's age and belonging to the poor wealth quintile. CONCLUSION In order to prevent these indicators of child malnutrition, key consideration must be given to the early developmental stages of life. Child health policies must focus on addressing the key contextual factors of child malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sewor
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, KL671316, India
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Rajeev Jayalakshmi
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, KL671316, India
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The associations between stunting and wasting at 12 months of age and developmental milestones delays in a cohort of Cambodian children. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17859. [PMID: 36284133 PMCID: PMC9596435 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22861-2] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, over 250 million children under 5 years do not reach their developmental potential due to several causes, including malnutrition. In Cambodia, the prevalence of stunting and wasting among children remains high. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess acquisition of motor and cognitive developmental milestones in early childhood and their associations with stunting and wasting. Children aged from 0 to 24 months were recruited from three provinces in Cambodia and followed up to seven times from March 2016 to June 2019, until their 5 years. Data collection included anthropometry and developmental milestones. Seven motor and seven cognitive milestones were evaluated using the Cambodian Development Milestone Assessment Tool. Associations were assessed with parametric survival models. Hazard ratios (HR) below 1 stood for lower probabilities for achieving developmental milestones. Data were available for 7394 children. At 12 months, the prevalence of stunting and wasting were 23.7% and 9.6% respectively. Both were consistently associated with delays in most motor and cognitive milestones. Stunting was strongly associated with delays in gross motor milestones (HR < 0.85; p < 0.001). Wasting was more strongly associated with delays in fine motor development and most cognitive milestones (HR < 0.75; p < 0.001). Promoting nutritional programs in the first 1000 days to prevent malnutrition is essential to further the optimal growth and motor and cognitive development of Cambodian children.
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Mustakim MRD, Irwanto, Irawan R, Irmawati M, Setyoboedi B. Impact of Stunting on Development of Children between 1-3 Years of Age. Ethiop J Health Sci 2022; 32:569-578. [PMID: 35813667 PMCID: PMC9214736 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stunting occurs due to chronic malnutrition and is a major problem for children in developing countries. It is important to evaluate the impact of stunting on the development of children. This study aimed to investigate the impact of stunting on the development of children between 1-3 years of age. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 in Surabaya, Indonesia. A questionnaire and growth assessment were done, following the development measurement to stunted and non-stunted children who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Development was measured by the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II), and Cognitive Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic & Auditory Milestone (CAT/CLAMS) scales. Results Three hundred children are included in this study, consisting of 150 stunted and 150 non-stunted children. Stunted children had a higher risk to be suspected of delayed development compared to non-stunted children. The Crude Odd Ratio was 2.98, 4.24, 4.75 with the p-value 0.006, 0.001. and 0.001 respectively. The Adjusted Odd Ratio was 0.34, 0.24, 0.21 with p-value of 0.008, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively. Conclusion Stunting is associated with suspected development delay among children 1-3 years of age. Initiatives related to prevention need to be established and nutrition advice needs to be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad R D Mustakim
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Irwanto
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Roedi Irawan
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Mira Irmawati
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Bagus Setyoboedi
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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Prado EL, Sebayang SK, Adawiyah SR, Alcock KJ, Ullman MT, Muadz H, Shankar AH. Maternal depression is the predominant persistent risk for child cognitive and social-emotional problems from early childhood to pre-adolescence: A longitudinal cohort study. Soc Sci Med 2021; 289:114396. [PMID: 34600358 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Brain development occurs rapidly during early childhood and continues throughout middle childhood. Early and later windows of opportunity exist to alter developmental trajectories. Few studies in low- and middle-income countries have examined the importance of the timing of exposure to risks for poor pre-adolescent cognitive and social-emotional outcomes. METHODS We assessed 359 children who participated in two follow-up studies of the Supplementation with Multiple Micronutrients Intervention Trial conducted in Indonesia in 2001-2004: at 3.5 years in 2006 and 9-12 years in 2012-2014. Using structural equation models, we examined indicators of early childhood (3.5 y) and pre-adolescent (9-12 y) exposure to risks (child height-for-age z-score [HAZ], hemoglobin [Hb], maternal depressive symptoms [MDS], home environment [HOME]), with two developmental outcomes: cognitive ability and social-emotional problems. We characterized patterns of change by calculating residuals of indicators measured earlier (3.5 y) predicting the same indicators measured later (9-12 y), for example, the residual of 3.5 y MDS predicting 9-12 y MDS (rMDS). RESULTS Three early risk indicators (HOME, Hb, and MDS) were indirectly associated with pre-adolescent cognitive scores through early cognitive scores (HOME: 0.15, [95% CI 0.09, 0.21]; Hb: 0.08 [0.04, 0.12], MDS: -0.07 [-0.12, -0.02]). Pre-adolescent cognitive scores were also associated with change in MDS (rMDS: -0.13 [-0.23, -0.02]) and Hb (rHb: 0.10 [0.00, 0.20]) during middle childhood. For pre-adolescent social-emotional problems, both early childhood MDS (0.31 [0.19, 0.44]) and change in MDS during middle childhood (rMDS: 0.48 [0.37, 0.60]) showed strong direct associations with this outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm those of previous studies that prevention of risk exposures during early childhood is likely to support long-term child development. It also adds evidence to a previously scarce literature for the middle childhood period. Prevention of maternal depressive symptoms and child anemia during middle childhood should be assessed for effectiveness to support child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Prado
- Summit Institute of Development, Jl Bung Hatta No 28, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia; Institute for Global Nutrition & Department of Nutrition, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Susy K Sebayang
- Summit Institute of Development, Jl Bung Hatta No 28, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia; Department of Biostatistics and Population Studies, University of Airlangga, Banyuwangi Campus, Jalan Wijaya Kusuma No 113, Banyuwangi, 68414, Indonesia
| | - Siti R Adawiyah
- Summit Institute of Development, Jl Bung Hatta No 28, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia
| | - Katherine J Alcock
- Psychology Department, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YF, UK
| | - Michael T Ullman
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Box 571464, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Husni Muadz
- Summit Institute of Development, Jl Bung Hatta No 28, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia; Center for Research on Language and Culture, University of Mataram, Jalan Pendidikan No 37, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia
| | - Anuraj H Shankar
- Summit Institute of Development, Jl Bung Hatta No 28, Mataram, NTB, Indonesia; Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia and the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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French B, Outhwaite LA, Langley-Evans SC, Pitchford NJ. Nutrition, growth, and other factors associated with early cognitive and motor development in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. J Hum Nutr Diet 2020; 33:644-669. [PMID: 32734599 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity, poverty and exposure to infectious disease are well-established drivers of malnutrition in children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early development of cognitive and motor skills - the foundations for learning - may also be compromised by the same or additional factors that restrict physical growth. However, little is known about factors associated with early child development in this region, which limits the scope to intervene effectively. To address this knowledge gap, we compared studies that have examined factors associated with early cognitive and/or motor development within this population. METHODS Predetermined criteria were used to examine four publication databases (PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science and Medline) and identify studies considering the determinants of cognitive and motor development in children aged 0-8 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS In total, 51 quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 30% of countries across the region. Within these papers, factors associated with early child development were grouped into five themes: Nutrition, Growth and Anthropometry, Maternal Health, Malaria and HIV, and Household. Food security and dietary diversity were associated with positive developmental outcomes, whereas exposure to HIV, malaria, poor maternal mental health, poor sanitation, maternal alcohol abuse and stunting were indicators of poor cognitive and motor development. DISCUSSION In this synthesis of research findings obtained across Sub-Saharan Africa, factors that restrict physical growth are also shown to hinder the development of early cognitive and motor skills, although additional factors also influence early developmental outcomes. The study also reviews the methodological limitations of conducting research using Western methods in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- B French
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - L A Outhwaite
- Centre for Education Policy & Equalising Opportunities, Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - N J Pitchford
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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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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Ocansey ME, Adu-Afarwuah S, Kumordzie SM, Okronipa H, Young RR, Tamakloe SM, Oaks BM, Arimond M, Dewey KG, Prado EL. The association of early linear growth and haemoglobin concentration with later cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development at preschool age in Ghana. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2019; 15:e12834. [PMID: 31042813 PMCID: PMC6852555 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
It is important to identify the periods during childhood when exposure to environmental risk factors results in long-term neurodevelopmental deficits. Stunting and anaemia may be sensitive indicators of exposure to such risks. In a prospective cohort enrolled before birth, we investigated the association of developmental scores at 4-6 years with (a) birth length and linear growth during three postnatal periods and (2) haemoglobin (Hb) concentration at three time points. Children were participants in a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial of nutritional supplementation in Ghana. At 4-6 years, cognitive, motor, and social-emotional developments were assessed using standard tests adapted for this population. We estimated the associations of length-for-age z-score (LAZ) at birth and postnatal linear growth (n = 710) and Hb (n = 617) with developmental scores in regression models, using multistage least squares analysis to calculate uncorrelated residuals for postnatal growth. Cognitive development at 4-6 years was significantly associated with LAZ at birth (β = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.19), ΔLAZ from 6 to 18 months (β = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.28), and Hb at 18 months (β = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.20), but not with ΔLAZ during 0-6 months, ΔLAZ from 18 months to 4-6 years, Hb at 6 months, or Hb at 4-6 years. No evidence of associations with motor or social-emotional development were found. These results suggest that in similar contexts, the earlier periods prior to birth and up to 18 months are more sensitive to risk factors for long-term cognitive development associated with LAZ and Hb compared with later childhood. This may inform the optimal timing of interventions targeting improved cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maku E Ocansey
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Seth Adu-Afarwuah
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sika M Kumordzie
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Harriet Okronipa
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Rebecca R Young
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Solace M Tamakloe
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Brietta M Oaks
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mary Arimond
- Intake - Center for Dietary Assessment, FHI 360, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kathryn G Dewey
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Prado
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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