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ISSN 0973 - 0958
Undernutrition and Risk of Infections in Preschooler
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NUTRITION IN CHILDREN
UNDERNUTRITION AND RISK OF INFECTIONS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Source: Indian J Med Res. 2009; 130: 579-583.
Since it is known that Undernutrition in preschoolers can lead to impaired immune function and thus increased susceptibility infections which in turn can aggravate undernutrition, this study was done to determine the relative risk of morbidity due to infections in preschooler children using 5 anthropometric indices for assessment of undernutrition. Patients were classified as underweight, wasted, stunted, having low Body Mass Index (BMI) or those with stunting and low BMI based on weight for age, height for age and BMI for age. The sample size of the study was taken from the National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) database that provided information on 56,438 preschooler children of which 45,377 children had valid data. Their age, gender, weight, height and morbidity due to infections in the last fortnight were obtained. Relative risk of morbidity due to infections was computed and assessed in patients who were underweight, wasted, stunted, having low BMI and those with stunting with low BMI in 3 different age groups 0-5 months, 6-11 months and 12-59 months. It was found that prevalence of stunting and underweight progressively increased between 3-23 months. However risk of underweight, wasting and low BMI was lower in those who were exclusively breast fed till 6 months of age. Diarrhea and fever were the most common infections that increased progressively from 3-23 months of age. Prevalence of morbidity due to infection was higher in children with low BMI and those who were wasted with highest risk for those who had low BMI with wasting as compared to those who were stunted or underweight. Low BMI for age and wasting indicate current energy deficit and thus early detection and correction of current energy deficit may reduce risk of infection.
Since it is known that Undernutrition in preschoolers can lead to impaired immune function and thus increased susceptibility infections which in turn can aggravate undernutrition, this study was done to determine the relative risk of morbidity due to infections in preschooler children using 5 anthropometric indices for assessment of undernutrition. Patients were classified as underweight, wasted, stunted, having low Body Mass Index (BMI) or those with stunting and low BMI based on weight for age, height for age and BMI for age. The sample size of the study was taken from the National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) database that provided information on 56,438 preschooler children of which 45,377 children had valid data. Their age, gender, weight, height and morbidity due to infections in the last fortnight were obtained. Relative risk of morbidity due to infections was computed and assessed in patients who were underweight, wasted, stunted, having low BMI and those with stunting with low BMI in 3 different age groups 0-5 months, 6-11 months and 12-59 months. It was found that prevalence of stunting and underweight progressively increased between 3-23 months. However risk of underweight, wasting and low BMI was lower in those who were exclusively breast fed till 6 months of age. Diarrhea and fever were the most common infections that increased progressively from 3-23 months of age. Prevalence of morbidity due to infection was higher in children with low BMI and those who were wasted with highest risk for those who had low BMI with wasting as compared to those who were stunted or underweight. Low BMI for age and wasting indicate current energy deficit and thus early detection and correction of current energy deficit may reduce risk of infection.
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