METHODS: We performed a systematic review that examined household food insecurity among the undernourished under-five children. PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO Host, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from 1 January 2012 to 1 April 2022, for relevant articles. Outcome measures were stunting, underweight or wasting. Of the 2779 abstracts screened, 36 studies that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. A range of tools had been used to measure HFIS, the most common being Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. HFIS has been found to be significantly associated with undernutrition, particularly stunting and underweight. This is observed proportionately across all national income levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Sustainable and inclusive economic growth, which aims to reduce income, education and gender inequality, should be a key policy goal in the minimizing food insecurity and childhood undernutrition. Multisectoral interventions are needed to address these issues.
METHODS: A systematic review was performed on articles published from 2014-2021 related to maternal anemia and stunting. The electronic databases used were ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Search, and AJOG (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology). The literature search was performed up to December 7, 2021.
RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. Nine studies examined the correlation between maternal anemia and length or weight in children. Seven of the nine studies showed an association between maternal anemia and stunting in children; the others showed an association between maternal anemia and birth length. Three studies found no association between maternal anemia and stunting in children under age 5 y.
CONCLUSIONS: The current review emphasizes that stunting in children may be associated with maternal anemia, specifically in developing countries. This implies that it is crucial to prevent anemia in adolescent girls and women before and during pregnancy as a part of programs to eliminate stunting in children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2022 in urban areas in Selangor among children aged less than two years old from B40 households using purposive sampling through both online surveys and face-to-face interviews. There were 112 children aged < 2 years old from B40 households participating in this study. The data obtained on maternal sociodemographic, Household Food Insecurity Scale (HFIAS), and children's anthropometric measurements were analysed by using the WHO Anthro Survey, descriptive analysis, Person's Chisquare test and Fischer's exact test.
RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity was more significant than the prevalence of food secured, at 55.4% and 44.6% respectively. The stunting among the children rated at 34.8%, followed by 7.2% of the sample found underweight, 7.8% (BAZ) and 16.1% (BAZ) of them were wasted, and overweight & obese, proportionately. This study discovered that household size was the sole determinant of household food security status. This finding suggested that size of a household influenced the odds of a household being food insecure.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on children's nutritional status especially those from low-income and bigger size households. Therefore, more thorough and effective interventions should be designed particularly targeting this urban poor community to enhance their nutritional status and health.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study had two phases: a cross-sectional growth study of under-five Orang Asli children (N=304; Phase 1) and a 2-year prospective cohort growth study of Orang Asli children aged 0-3 years (N=214; Phase 2) in the Temerloh district of Pahang, Malaysia. Weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, weight-for-length/height, and body mass index-for-age were determined.
RESULTS: The prevalence rates of stunting, underweight, wasting, and thinness in under-five Orang Asli children (Phase 1) were 64%, 49%, 14%, and 12%, respectively. In the cohort of 214 children (Phase 2), weight-for-age was initially documented and maintained closely at -1.50 standard deviations (SD) in the first 6 months, but it declined to approximately -2.00 SD at 15 months and remained close to -2.00 SD thereafter. Length/height-for-age declined rapidly to approximately -2.50 SD at 18 months and fluctuated between -2.30 and -2.50 SD thereafter. Weight-for-length/height increased sharply to -0.40 SD at 2-3 months, declined gradually to less than -1.00 SD at 12 months, and plateaued between -1.00 and -1.30 SD thereafter.
CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition is prevalent among Orang Asli children, with length rather than weight faltering being more pronounced in the first 2 years of life. Identifying the causes of early growth retardation in this population is required to inform future preventive strategies.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 150 children aged 12-36 months.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: recurrent infections, moderate to severe asthma, recent systemic steroid, other diseases affecting growth/nutrition. Growth parameters, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), hemoglobin, hematocrit, sodium, potassium, albumin, protein, calcium, phosphate, B12, iron, and folate values were determined. Parents completed a 3-day food diary.
RESULTS: The prevalence of food restriction was 60.7%. Commonly restricted foods were shellfish 62.7%, nuts 53.3%, egg 50%, dairy 29.3%, and cow's milk 28.7%. Food-restricted children have significantly lower calorie, protein, fat, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus and iron intakes and lower serum iron, protein and albumin values. Z scores of weight-for-age (-1.38 ± 1.02 vs -0.59 ± 0.96, P = .00), height-for-age (-1.34 ± 1.36 vs -0.51 ± 1.22, P = .00), head circumference-for-age (-1.37 ± 0.90 vs -0.90 ± 0.81, P = .00), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)-for-age (-0.71 ± 0.90 vs -0.22 ± 0.88, P = .00), and BMI-for-age (-0.79 ± 1.15 vs -0.42 ± 0.99, P = .04) were significantly lower in food-restricted compared to non-food-restricted children. More food-restricted children were stunted, underweight with lower head circumference and MUAC. Severe disease was an independent risk factor for food restriction with OR 5.352; 95% CI, 2.26-12.68.
CONCLUSION: Food restriction is common in children with AD. It is associated with lower Z scores for weight, height, head circumference, MUAC, and BMI. Severe disease is an independent risk factor for food restriction.
Methods: We used cross-sectional data on 6759 children and adolescents aged 6-19 years living in Segamat, Malaysia. We compared prevalence estimates for stunting defined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) references, using Cohen's κ coefficient. Associations between sociodemographic indices and stunting risk were examined using mixed-effects Poisson regression with robust standard errors.
Results: The classification of children and adolescents as stunted or normal height differed considerably between the two references (CDC v. WHO; κ for agreement: 0.73), but prevalence of stunting was high regardless of reference (crude prevalence: CDC 29.2%; WHO: 19.1%). Stunting risk was approximately 19% higher among underweight v. normal weight children and adolescents (p = 0.030) and 21% lower among overweight children and adolescents (p = 0.001), and decreased strongly with improved household drinking water sources [risk ratio (RR) for water piped into house: 0.35, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.30-0.41, p < 0.001). Protective effects were also observed for improved sanitation facilities (RR for flush toilet: 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.88, p = 0.023). Associations were not materially affected in multiple sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions: Our findings justify a framework for strategies addressing stunting across childhood, and highlight the need for consensus on a single definition of stunting in older children and adolescents to streamline monitoring efforts.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in the Gaza Strip. A total of 357 children aged 2-5 years and their mothers aged 18-50 years were recruited. A multistage cluster sampling was used in the selection of the study participants from three geographical areas in the Gaza Strip: Jabalia refugee camp, El Remal urban area, and Al Qarara rural area. A structured questionnaire was used for face- to -face interviews with the respective child's mother to collect sociodemographic information and feeding practice. Anthropometric measurements for children were taken to classify height-for-age (HAZ), while maternal height was measured as well. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the prevalence and associated factors with stunting.
RESULTS: The total prevalence of stunting in this study was 19.6%, with the highest prevalence being (22.6%) in Jabalia refugee camp. It turns out that shorter mothers had increased the odds of stunting in preschool children in the Gaza Strip. Children born to mothers whose height was 1.55-1.60 m or <1.55 m were more likely to be stunted (p = 0. 008), or (p 1.60 m. Moreover, parental consanguinity increased the risk of stunted children (p = 0. 015).
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the prevalence of stunting was of alarming magnitude in the Gaza Strip. Our results also demonstrated that parental consanguinity and short maternal stature were associated with stunting. Culturally appropriate interventions and appropriate strategies should be implemented to discourage these types of marriages. Policy makers must also raise awareness of the importance of the prevention and control of nutritional problems to combat stunting among children in the Gaza Strip.
METHODS: This study used data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2016: Maternal and Child Health. It includes a sample of 10 686 children, ages 0 to 59 mo, of Malay ethnicity. Height-for-age z score was determined based on the World Health Organization Anthro software. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association between the selected social determinants and the occurrence of stunting.
RESULTS: About 22.5% of children aged <5 y of Malay ethnicity were stunted. For those ages 0 to 23 mo, stunting is more prevalent in boys, in rural areas, and in those who have screen exposure, whereas a reduction of stunting was observed for those children whose mothers work in the private sector and in those who consume formula milk and meat. As for those ages 24 to 59 mo, there was a higher prevalence of stunting for those with self-employed mothers and reduced prevalence in children with hygienic waste disposal practices as well as those who play with toys.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of stunting among children of Malay ethnicity aged <5 in Malaysia necessitates immediate intervention. It is pertinent to facilitate early identification of those children at risk of stunting for additional care to promote healthy growth.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the spatial trends of child growth failure (CGF) indicators and their association with household sanitation practices in India.
METHODS: We used data from the Indian Demographic and Health Surveys spanning 1998-2021. District-level CGF indicators (stunting, wasting, and underweight) were cross-referenced with sanitation and sociodemographic characteristics. Global Moran I and Local Indicator of Spatial Association were used to detect spatial clustering of the indicators. Spatial regression models were used to evaluate the significant determinants of CGF indicators.
RESULTS: Our study showed a decreasing trend in stunting (44.9%-38.4%) and underweight (46.7%-35.7%) but an increasing prevalence of wasting (15.7%-21.0%) over 15 years. The positive values of Moran I between 1998 and 2021 indicate the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Geographic clustering was consistently observed in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Gujarat. Improved sanitation facilities, a higher wealth index, and advanced maternal education status showed a significant association in reducing stunting. Relative risk maps identified hotspots of CGF health outcomes, which could be targeted for future interventions.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous policies and programs, malnutrition remains a concern. Its multifaceted causes demand coordinated and sustained interventions that go above and beyond the usual. Identifying hotspot locations will aid in developing control methods for achieving objectives in target areas.
METHODS: We reviewed all patients with TDT who had ≥ 8 blood transfusions per year. Patients who had a history of stem cell transplantation, concurrent autoimmune diseases or were newly diagnosed to have TDT were excluded. Standard diagnostic criteria were used in the diagnosis of various endocrine dysfunctions.
RESULTS: Of the 82 patients with TDT, 65% had at least one endocrine dysfunction. Short stature was the commonest (40.2%), followed by pubertal disorders (14.6%), hypoparathyroidism (12.3%), vitamin D deficiency (10.1%), hypocortisolism (7.3%), diabetes mellitus (5.2%) and overt hypothyroidism (4.9%). Subclinical hypothyroidism and pre-diabetes mellitus were seen in 13.4% and 8.6% of the patients, respectively. For children aged < 10 years, the prevalence of both thyroid dysfunction and hypoparathyroidism was 9.1%.
CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of children with TDT experienced at least one endocrine dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction and hypoparathyroidism may be missed if endocrine screening is only performed in children with TDT > 10 years of age. Close monitoring for endocrine dysfunction and hormonal therapy is essential to prevent long-term adverse outcomes.
DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional survey, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011.
SETTING: A nationally representative sample of 11 085 households selected by a two-stage, stratified cluster sampling design to interview eligible men and women.
SUBJECTS: Children (n 2591) aged 0-60 months in a sub-sample of households selected for men's interview.
RESULTS: Prevalence of moderate and severe household food insecurity was 23·2% and 19·0%, respectively, for children aged 0-60 months. Weighted prevalence rates for stunting (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) growth faltering.