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Welch C, Wong CK, Lelijveld N, Kerac M, Wrottesley SV. Adolescent pregnancy is associated with child undernutrition: Systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024; 20:e13569. [PMID: 37781871 PMCID: PMC10749999 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy is associated with poor fetal growth and development which, in turn, increases the risk of childhood wasting and underweight. However, evidence on how young maternal age affects childhood anthropometry beyond the neonatal period is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined associations between adolescent pregnancy and child wasting and underweight and explored potential underlying social and biological factors. Peer-reviewed literature published in English since 1990 was systematically searched. Eligible studies presented data on wasting and/or underweight in children (≤59 months) born to adolescent mothers (10-19, or ≤24 years where applicable) from low- and middle-income countries. Data extraction used a predefined extraction sheet. Both meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis were performed. Of 92 identified studies, 57 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that children born to adolescent versus adult mothers were at a higher risk of moderate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.26 p = 0.04) and severe underweight (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08-1.35 p < 0.01). Associated risk of wasting was not statistically significant: (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.98-1.12 p = 0.17); severe wasting (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.68-1.96 p = 0.59). These findings were supported by the qualitative synthesis. Evidence on the potential role of biological/social factors was limited, but suggested an intermediary role of maternal nutritional status which warrants further exploration. Particularly in contexts where adolescent pregnancy remains common, interventions to both delay adolescent pregnancy and improve adolescent nutritional status could help reduce the risk of undernutrition in children and contribute to breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Welch
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Christopher K. Wong
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Natasha Lelijveld
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN)OxfordshireUK
| | - Marko Kerac
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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Sabet F, Prost A, Rahmanian S, Al Qudah H, Cardoso MN, Carlin JB, Sawyer SM, Patton GC. The forgotten girls: the state of evidence for health interventions for pregnant adolescents and their newborns in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet 2023; 402:1580-1596. [PMID: 37837988 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Every year, an estimated 21 million girls aged 15-19 years become pregnant in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Policy responses have focused on reducing the adolescent birth rate whereas efforts to support pregnant adolescents have developed more slowly. We did a systematic review of interventions addressing any health-related outcome for pregnant adolescents and their newborn babies in LMICs and mapped its results to a framework describing high-quality health systems for pregnant adolescents. Although we identified some promising interventions, such as micronutrient supplementation, conditional cash transfers, and well facilitated group care, most studies were at high risk of bias and there were substantial gaps in evidence. These included major gaps in delivery, abortion, and postnatal care, and mental health, violence, and substance misuse-related outcomes. We recommend that the fields of adolescent, maternal, and sexual and reproductive health collaborate to develop more adolescent-inclusive maternal health care and research, and specific interventions for pregnant adolescents. We outline steps to develop high-quality, evidence-based care for the millions of pregnant adolescents and their newborns who currently do not receive this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Sabet
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Audrey Prost
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Heba Al Qudah
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mauro Nogueira Cardoso
- Coletivo da Saude, Research Group in Public Health, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - John B Carlin
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan M Sawyer
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - George C Patton
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chaura T, Mategula D, Gadama LA. Adolescent pregnancy outcomes at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi: a cross-sectional study. Malawi Med J 2021; 33:261-268. [PMID: 35291391 PMCID: PMC8892997 DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v33i4.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malawi has a growing population with a high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 439 per 100,000 live births to which adolescents contribute 25%. Current data suggests adolescent pregnancies in low resource settings are at an increased risk of both maternal and neonatal morbidity. Objectives This study assessed the pregnancy outcomes amongst adolescents while using women from the early adulthood (20 - 24-year-old) and advanced maternal age (35 years old and above) groups as reference. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, carried out at the Chatinkha maternity (labour) and post-natal wards at QECH, and included all adolescents (10 - 19 years old) and women between 20 - 24 years old (early adulthood) and 35 years old or older (advanced maternal age), presenting in labor, at any gestational age ≥ 28 weeks or with a birth weight of 1000 grams or above. Results The study found the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy to be 20.4% (N=5035) out of all the deliveries during the recruitment period. Sexually transmitted infections were proportionally higher in the adolescent group, with 12% testing HIV seroreactive and 10% syphilis seroreactive. Neonatal outcomes of birth asphyxia (3.5%), low birth weight (5%), prematurity (4.3%) and early neonatal death (4.3%) were not statistically different from the outcomes of the older age groups. The major causes of maternal morbidity were determined to be a high caesarean section rate of 31.9% and intrapartum diagnosis of urinary tract infection (7.4%), malaria (7.4%) and hypertensive disorders (14.5%). Conclusions Adolescents are a significant proportion of the pregnant population in Malawi. These adolescents are at increased risk of some pregnancy and peripartum complications when compared to women of older age groups. However, our study determined that these outcomes appear to be more likely related to the peripartum care received and not solely specific to maternal age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donnie Mategula
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi
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González-Fernández D, Nemeth E, Pons EDC, Rueda D, Sinisterra OT, Murillo E, Sangkhae V, Starr LM, Scott ME, Koski KG. INTERGROWTH-21 Identifies High Prevalence of Low Symphysis-Fundal Height in Indigenous Pregnant Women Experiencing Multiple Infections, Nutrient Deficiencies, and Inflammation: The Maternal Infections, Nutrient Deficiencies, and Inflammation (MINDI) Cohort. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab012. [PMID: 33898918 PMCID: PMC8053398 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the absence of ultrasound, symphysis-fundal height (SFH) can assess maternal-fetal well-being as it is associated with gestational age, fetal weight, and amniotic fluid volume. However, other modifiers of SFH, including maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation (MINDI), have not been widely explored. OBJECTIVES Our objectives were 2-fold: 1) to assess prevalence of low SFH in indigenous Panamanian women using both Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and INTERGROWTH-21 standards and 2) to explore associations of SFH with maternal health indicators: infections (oral, skin, urogenital, nematode infections), nutrient deficiencies [protein and iron indicators (ferritin, serum iron, serum transferrin receptor, hepcidin), folate, and vitamins A, D, and B-12], and inflammation [leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines]. METHODS For this cross-sectional study, low-SFH-for-gestational-age was assessed using PAHO and INTERGROWTH <10th centile in 174 women at ≥16 weeks of gestation. Bootstrapping selected MINDI variables for inclusion in multivariable fractional polynomial (MFP) logistic regressions for low SFH. Associations of MINDI variables with hepcidin were also investigated. RESULTS Prevalence of low SFH was 8% using PAHO, but using INTERGROWTH, 50.6% had SFH <10th centile, including 37.9% <3rd centile. Both PAHO-SFH <10th centile and INTERGROWTH-SFH <3rd centile were associated with higher hepcidin (OR = 1.12, P = 0.008, and OR = 3.04, P = 0.001, respectively) and with lower TNF-α (OR = 0.73, P = 0.012, and OR = 0.93, P = 0.015, respectively). Wood-smoke exposure increased the odds of PAHO-SFH <10th centile (OR = 1.19, P = 0.009), whereas higher BMI decreased the odds of INTERGROWTH-SFH <3rd centile (OR = 0.87, P = 0.012). Lower pulse pressure (OR = 0.90, P = 0.009) and lower inflammatory responses [lower lymphocytes (OR = 0.21, P = 0.026), IL-17 (OR = 0.89, P = 0.011)] distinguished SFH <3rd centile from SFH ≥3rd to <10th centiles using INTERGROWTH-21 standards. The MFP regression for hepcidin controlling for SFH (adjusted R 2 = 0.40, P = 0.001) revealed associations with indicators of inflammation (CRP, P < 0.0001; IL-17, P = 0.012), acidic urinary pH (P = 0.008), and higher intake of supplements (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS Associations of low SFH with MINDI variables, including hepcidin, highlight its potential for early detection of multicausal in utero growth faltering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris González-Fernández
- School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elizabeta Nemeth
- Center for Iron Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Delfina Rueda
- “Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé” Health Region, Ministry of Health, San Félix, Chiriquí Province, Panama
| | | | - Enrique Murillo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Veena Sangkhae
- Center for Iron Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lisa M Starr
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marilyn E Scott
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kristine G Koski
- School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
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Irenso AA, Dessie Y, Berhane Y, Assefa N, Canavan CR, Fawzi WW. Prevalence and predictors of adolescent linear growth and stunting across the urban-rural gradient in eastern Ethiopia. Trop Med Int Health 2019; 25:101-110. [PMID: 31710743 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the magnitude and factors associated with adolescent linear growth and stunting in two eastern Ethiopian communities. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban Harar Health Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) and rural Kersa Demographic Surveillance and Health Research Center (KDS-HRC). Univariate analysis was used to describe the data. Multiple regression models examined predictors of linear growth. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with stunting. RESULTS The study included 2010 adolescents. The prevalence of stunting was 26.9% (95% CI 24.9, 28.9), with 8.1% among urban adolescents (95% CI 6.5, 9.9) vs. 47.9% among rural ones (95% CI 44.6, 51.1). There was a significant interaction between residence and sex on the risk of stunting [AOR = 4.17 (95% CI 2.66, 9.9), P < 0.001], and height-for-age z score (HAZ) (β = -0.51, P < 0.001). For urban adolescents, older age (18 to 19 years) was negatively associated with linear growth (β= -0.29; P < 0.001). In the rural setting, handwashing practice after toileting was positively associated with HAZ (0.62; P < 0.001) and with lower risk of stunting [AOR = 0.51 (95% CI 0.34, 0.76)]. Urban females had significantly higher HAZ than urban males [β = 0.52; P < 0.01)], and a significantly lower risk of stunting [AOR = 0.29 (95% CI 0.18, 0.48)]. CONCLUSIONS There are significant disparities in the magnitude of stunting between urban and rural adolescents. The gender gap in stunting and linear growth, along with a high prevalence of stunting in early adolescence, calls for age-appropriate and gender-sensitive interventions. Particular attention and context-specific interventions are warranted for adolescents in these and similar rural eastern Ethiopian communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asnake Ararsa Irenso
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Yadeta Dessie
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Department of Epidemiology, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Nega Assefa
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Chelsey R Canavan
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wafaie W Fawzi
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Desyibelew HD, Dadi AF. Burden and determinants of malnutrition among pregnant women in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221712. [PMID: 31490956 PMCID: PMC6730925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition in pregnancy remains unacceptably high across all regions of Africa though promising progresses have been made globally. Primary studies might not be sufficient to portrait a comprehensive picture of malnutrition during pregnancy and its main risk factors. Therefore, we intended to review the burden of malnutrition, for this specific review implies to protein energy malnutrition, during pregnancy in Africa to present its magnitude and determinant factors. METHODS We did a systematic review of observational studies published from January 1/2008 to January 31/2018. The CINAHL(EBSCO), MEDLINE (via Ovid), Emcare, PubMed databases and Google scholar were searched. Articles quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and studies with fair to good quality were included. We pooled malnutrition prevalence and an odds ratio estimates for risk factors after checking for heterogeneity and publication bias. This review has been registered in Prospero with a protocol number CRD42018114949. RESULT 23 studies involving 20,672 pregnant women were included. Using a random effect model, the overall pooled prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women in Africa was 23.5% (95%CI: 17.72-29.32; I2 = 98.5%). Based on the current review pooled odds ratio finding; rural residency (POR = 2.6%; 95%CI: 1.48-4.65; I2 = 0%), low educational status of partners (POR = 1.7%; 95%CI: 1.19-2.53; I2 = 54.8%), multiple pregnancy (POR = 2.15%; 95%CI: 1.27-3.64; I2 = 0%) and poor nutritional indicators (POR = 2.03%; 95%CI: 1.72-2.4, I2 = 0%) were positively determine maternal malnutrition. On contrary, better household economic status (POR = 0.47%; 95%CI: 0.36-0.62; I2 = 24.2%) negatively determine maternal malnutrition. CONCLUSION A significant number of the pregnant population in Africa are suffering of malnutrition, above 10% of the standard acceptable malnutrition rate. Thus, efforts should be renewed to ensure a proper and widespread implementation of programs that would address issues identified in the current review to reduce the burden of malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Demelash Desyibelew
- Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Abel Fekadu Dadi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, School of Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
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Dewey KG, Matias SL, Mridha MK, Arnold CD. Nutrient supplementation during the first 1000 days and growth of infants born to pregnant adolescents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1468:25-34. [PMID: 31378980 PMCID: PMC7317730 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated the impact of nutritional supplementation among pregnant adolescents. We examined the effects of the Rang Din Nutrition Study (RDNS) interventions on children born to mothers <20 years of age. The RDNS was a cluster‐randomized effectiveness trial with four arms: (1) women and children both received small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS‐LNS), (2) women received iron and folic acid (IFA) and children received LNS (IFA‐LNS), (3) women received IFA and children received micronutrient powder (MNP) (IFA‐MNP), and (4) women received IFA and children received no supplements (IFA‐Control). We enrolled 4011 women at <20 weeks gestation; 1552 were adolescents. Among adolescents, prenatal LNS reduced newborn stunting by 25% and small head size by 28% and had a marginally significant effect on newborn wasting, compared with IFA. Low birth weight and preterm birth were reduced only among adolescents with lower food security. Effects on subsequent growth status were observed only among female children in the LNS‐LNS group: less stunting at 18 months (versus IFA‐MNP) and lower prevalence of small head circumference and wasting at 24 months (versus IFA‐Control). Initiatives targeting pregnant adolescents in similar settings should consider inclusion of small‐quantity LNS, particularly for adolescents living in food‐insecure households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn G Dewey
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Susana L Matias
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Malay K Mridha
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California.,BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Charles D Arnold
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California
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