Dataset Information

Risk factors associated with malnutrition in one-year-old children living in the Peruvian Amazon.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children under two years of age are in the most critical window for growth and development. As mobility increases, this time period also coincides with first exposure to soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in tropical and sub-tropical environments. The association between malnutrition and STH infection, however, has been understudied in this vulnerable age group.

Methodology/principal findings

A nested cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 and 13-month old children participating in a deworming trial in Iquitos, an STH-endemic area of the Peruvian Amazon. An extensive socio-demo-epi questionnaire was administered to the child's parent. Length and weight were measured, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development were administered to measure cognition, language, and fine motor development. Stool specimens were collected to determine the presence of STH. The association between malnutrition (i.e. stunting and underweight) and STH infection, and other child, maternal, and household characteristics, was analyzed using multivariable Poisson regression. A total of 1760 children were recruited between September 2011 and June 2012. Baseline data showed a prevalence of stunting and underweight of 24.2% and 8.6%, respectively. In a subgroup of 880 randomly-allocated children whose specimens were analyzed by the Kato-Katz method, the prevalence of any STH infection was 14.5%. Risk factors for stunting in these 880 children included infection with at least one STH species (aRR?=?1.37; 95% CI 1.01, 1.86) and a lower development score (aRR?=?0.97; 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99). A lower development score was also a significant risk factor for underweight (aRR?=?0.92; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.95).

Conclusions

The high prevalence of malnutrition, particularly stunting, and its association with STH infection and lower developmental attainment in early preschool-age children is of concern. Emphasis should be placed on determining the most cost-effective, integrated interventions to reduce disease and malnutrition burdens in this vulnerable age group.

SUBMITTER: Joseph SA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4263538 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Risk factors associated with malnutrition in one-year-old children living in the Peruvian Amazon.

Joseph Serene A SA Casapía Martín M Blouin Brittany B Maheu-Giroux Mathieu M Rahme Elham E Gyorkos Theresa W TW

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20141211 12

<h4>Background</h4>Children under two years of age are in the most critical window for growth and development. As mobility increases, this time period also coincides with first exposure to soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in tropical and sub-tropical environments. The association between malnutrition and STH infection, however, has been understudied in this vulnerable age group.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>A nested cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 and 13-month old c ...[more]

PMID: 25503381

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Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to identify body mass index (BMI) trajectories and their predictors in Australian children by their maternal immigrant status. METHODS:Data on 4142 children aged 2-3 years were drawn from the birth cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. BMI was calculated according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points. Immigrant status was determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Index criteria. Latent class growth analysis estimated distinct BMI trajectories, and multinomial logistic regression analysis examined factors associated with these BMI trajectories. RESULTS:Two BMI groups and six BMI trajectories were identified. The stable trajectories group included high-risk (10%, n=375), moderate-risk (5%, n=215) and low-risk (68%, n=2861) BMI trajectories. The changing trajectories group included delayed-risk (6%, n=234), gradual-risk (8%, n=314) and declining-risk (3%, n=143) BMI trajectories. We found some evidence that children of immigrants from low-and middle-income countries were more likely to have moderate-risk and high-risk BMI trajectories compared with low-risk BMI trajectory. However, these associations were insignificant in fully adjusted models. The explanatory risk factors for moderate-risk and high-risk BMI trajectory were birth weight, family socioeconomic position, and organised sports participation. Our results also suggest that 4-7 years of age may be important for the prevention of overweight/obesity in children. DISCUSSION:A better understanding of the risk factors associated with distinct BMI trajectories in immigrant children will inform effective preventive strategies. Some of these risk factors such as non-participation in organised sports, and high screen time, may also impede the integration of immigrant children into the host culture. Obesity prevention strategies aimed at increasing physical activities in immigrant children could help deliver a social and health benefit by increasing social integration among children of immigrants and Australians.

Dataset Information

Risk factors associated with malnutrition in one-year-old children living in the Peruvian Amazon.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions

Publications

Risk factors associated with malnutrition in one-year-old children living in the Peruvian Amazon.

Similar Datasets

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