Identification of factors affecting infant growth in developing countries

Article Abstract:

The effects of severe illness on growth are well recognized; however, most studies depict growth rate as a function of weight. In Gambia, in West Africa, seven newborns were studied through the first year of life. Body weight, length, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps and subscapular (beneath the shoulder blade) skin fold thickness were monitored. These measurements were taken every 14 days when the infants were healthy, and up to six times in the 21 days after the onset of any acute illness. Among the illnesses the children developed were tonsillitis, upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media (inner ear infection), diarrhea, malaria, urinary tract infection, vomiting, fever and pneumonia. Each child's growth pattern was charted on a graph which plotted the child's growth pattern against a standard deviation. It was found that growth was inhibited by gastroenteric illness, including diarrhea and vomiting, and respiratory tract disease. During the study the infants were acutely ill 20 percent of the time, convalescent for 34 percent of the time and well for 46 percent of the time. During periods of acute illness, the average weight deficit as a result of infection was 1.8 grams per day. Some of the children's weight loss was thought to be due to insufficient food intake during those times of the year when food was in short supply. It is suggested that the types of graphs used in this study of Third World children could be used as well to study the effects of infectious or chronic disease on the growth patterns of all children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Human growth, Human development, Gambia

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Prevalence and treatment of giardiasis in chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition

Article Abstract:

Giardiasis, or infection with the microorganism Giardia lamblia, causes chronic diarrhea and impaired absorption of nutrients, and can lead to delay of growth in children. Giardia infection is prevalent in developing countries and may not always be associated with symptoms. This infectious disease can be diagnosed by detecting G. lamblia in the feces, and microscopic examination of the intestinal fluids or tissue samples. Giardia infection is also associated with increased blood levels of the immune proteins immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M, which can be detected by a sensitive immunological method. Giardiasis may persist in malnourished children or in children with weakened immune systems. The prevalence of giardiasis and response to treatment were assessed in 31 Gambian children with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition. Blood levels of the specific anti-giardia IgM, which is directed against G. lamblia, were measured; and feces and biopsy specimens of the jejunum, a portion of the small intestine, were examined microscopically. Giardiasis was diagnosed in 14 of 31 children with chronic diarrhea and also in 4 out of 33 healthy children who were tested. Giardia was detected in 4 of 15 malnourished children without diarrhea and persisted in 11 of 23 children treated with the drug metronidazole. In children with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition, giardiasis is widespread and responds poorly to conventional treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Causes of, Drug therapy, Malnutrition in children, Child malnutrition, Diarrhea in children, Childhood diarrhea, Giardiasis

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Growth velocity before sudden infant death

Article Abstract:

The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well infant, and is a common cause of death among infants aged two weeks to 12 months. In some areas, SIDS causes the death of up to seven out of every 1,000 infants born each year, and occurs most often in the third to fourth month of life, among premature infants who are mostly males and living in poverty. SIDS occurs during sleep and most often in the winter months. A recent study examined the risk factors associated with SIDS in the South Island of New Zealand, which has a higher incidence of SIDS than other regions of New Zealand. The growth characteristics of 136 infants dying of SIDS were compared with those of 136 normal infants with the same sex, birth weight, and type of feeding. The results show that the rate of weight gain was slower among infants who died of SIDS. In addition, the differences in weight gain between infants with SIDS and normal infants were greatest for infants with SIDS who did not breast feed in the last two weeks of the weight gain evaluation period. Breast-fed infants had rates of growth that were lower than 75 percent of all infants. The rate of growth is not useful in the prediction of which infants will die from SIDS, because many babies who do not die also undergo periods of poor growth. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Diseases, Sudden infant death syndrome

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