RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES AND LEFT VENTRICULAR MASS IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Introduction

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which is diagnosed through anthropometric measurement, causes cardiac muscle wasting and this has been linked to increased mortality.

Objective

This study aimed at determining the relationship between anthropometric indices and left ventricular mass (LVM) in children with SAM in Gombe State. This is to determine if anthropometric indices can be used to estimate/predict LVM in these children.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-two children with SAM aged 6 to 36 months were recruited from all the five primary health care centres that offer community management of acute malnutrition in Gombe State. Their anthropometric indices (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI) and weight-for-height Z score (WHZ) were measured/derived). Their left ventricular indices were also measured using two dimensional echocardiography.

Results

The mean weight, height, MUAC, BSA and BMI were 5.5+1.2kg, 69+6.1cm, 10.2+0.9cm, 0.33+0.05m2 and 11.6+1.4kg/m2, respectively. The mean LVM was 17.7+7.1g. Weight, BSA, height, BMI and MUAC had significant positive correlation with LVM [r = 0.55, r=0.53, r = 0.43, r = 0.3 and r = 0.3(p=0.001)], respectively. The determination coefficients(R2) of anthropometric indices with LVM were 0.30, 0.284 and 0.187 for weight, BSA and height, respectively. However, in multiple regression model, no anthropometric index was significantly associated with LVM.

Conclusion

Some of anthropometric indices had direct linear relationship with LVM but none of them can be used to estimate/predict LVM in children with SAM in Gombe State.

Neonatal Blood Pressure and Anthropometric Indices in Newborns of Pre-Eclamptic and Normal Mothers in Jos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Preeclampsia is a significant public health problem associated with increased risk of hypertension for offsprings. We compared the blood pressure and presence of hypertension between neonates born to women with preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancy as well as its relationship to anthropometric indices.

METHODS

This is a comparative cross-sectional study of 40 neonates born to women with preeclampsia and those born following normal pregnancy in four tertiary health facilities located in Jos, Nigeria. Anthropometric and blood pressure values were measured within 6-12 hours of delivery using standard protocols. SPSS version 25 was used in all analyses. Statistical significance was taken at p <0.05.

RESULTS

The mean birth weight for neonates of preeclamptic women was 2,476.1±810.8 grams, compared with 2,994.2±529.6 grams in babies of normal pregnancy (p=0.002). The mean birth length for neonates of preeclamptic women was 45.4±6.2 cm compared with 49.8±3.1 cm in babies of normal pregnancy (p<0.001). The mean ponderal index (PI) in neonates of preeclamptic women was 2.6±0.6 g/cm3 compared with 2.4±0.4 g/cm3 in babies of normal pregnancy (p=0.17). The mean systolic blood pressure in neonates of women with preeclampsia was 74.53±16.99 mmHg compared with 75.26±15.20 mmHg in neonates following normal pregnancy (p=0.85). The mean diastolic blood pressure in neonates born following preeclampsia was 47.52±15.76 mmHg compared with 45.12±16.9 mmHg in those following normal pregnancy (p=0.46). Six (16%) of the neonates born to women with preeclampsia had systolic hypertension compared with 3(8%) of neonates of women with normal pregnancy. Similarly, 5(14%) of neonates born to women with preeclampsia had diastolic hypertension compared with 2(5%) of neonates of women with normal pregnancy. No significant association between neonatal hypertension and anthropometric indices.

CONCLUSION

Newborns of women with preeclampsia have associated higher odds of elevated blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure has no significant relationship to birthweight, length or ponderal index. Early infant blood pressure surveillance is advocated in order to monitor and hence prevent complications ensuing in later life.

Domestic water sourcing and the risk of diarrhoea: a cross-sectional survey of a peri-urban community in Jos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Water and sanitation has been identified as an important component of Primary Health Care (PHC) necessitating the World Health Organization to declare 1981-1990 as the international water years. Nigeria is the largest single country in sub Saharan Africa worst hit with about three quarters of its population unable to access safe water. The study aims to examine the association between domestic water sourcing practice and the risk of developing diarrhea.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 200 households were studied over an eight week period from 4th June to 31st July 2005 using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Epi Info version 3.5.1.

RESULTS

Most of the household (80%) were seen to source domestic water from the municipal pipe-borne water supply while only 5% source water from their own dug-in well only. 27% of the households reported diarrhea in their household in the last six month. The diarrhea was found to have bivariate association with the number of children in the household, the educational level of the household head, and income of household head. No association was found between diarrhea and age of household head.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that there is association between domestic water sourcing practice and the risk of developing diarrhea. It is therefore recommended that high premium be placed on improving access to water and improved household hygiene as a way of helping to curb diarrhea.