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Assessing potential risk factors for child malnutrition in rural Kerala, India
U Sanghvi1, K R Thankappan, P S Sarma
1Stanford University Department of Biological Sciences, USA.
Insights
Maternal nutritional status and infant birth weight significantly impact child underweight in developing countries. Addressing maternal health, especially for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age, is crucial for child survival.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Malnutrition exacerbates infectious diseases, causing 42-57% of child deaths in developing nations.
- Mild-to-moderate malnutrition accounts for over 75% of these deaths.
- Child underweight is a significant public health concern in developing regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for underweight status in children under three years of age in Kerala, India.
- To investigate the association between maternal health and child weight-for-age.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving mothers of 34 underweight children and 59 normal-weight children.
- Data collected on maternal health, child feeding, and sibling demographics.
- Statistical analysis using odds ratios to determine significant risk factors.
Main Results:
- Current maternal weight (OR=8.25), maternal body mass index (OR=4.55), infant birth weight (OR=4.87), and excessive maternal vomiting during pregnancy (OR=4.48) were significant risk factors for child underweight.
- These maternal nutritional factors showed a strong relationship with child weight-for-age status.
Conclusions:
- Maternal nutritional status and infant birth weight are critical determinants of child underweight.
- Interventions targeting adolescent girls and women of reproductive age are recommended.
- Continued focus on rural health and nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating mothers is essential.
Abstract:
Studies indicate that 42-57 per cent of all child deaths in developing countries are due to the potentiating effects of malnutrition on infectious disease, of which over three-quarters can be attributed to mild-to-moderate malnutrition. Risk factors for underweight status in children under 3 years of age were assessed in Kerala, India. Mothers of 34 children weighing below -1 SD for their age and 59 children weighing more than 1 SD for their age, were interviewed for information about maternal health, child feeding patterns, and sibling gender and age data. Statistical analysis showed that current maternal weight (odds ratio = 8.25, p = 0.0009), current maternal body mass index (OR = 4.55, p = 0.03), infant birth weight (OR = 4.87, p = 0.01) and excessive maternal vomiting in pregnancy (OR = 4.48, p = 0.04) were significant risk factors for current child underweight status. Based on this observed relationship of maternal nutritional factors with child weight-for-age status, further studies on interventions to address the health problems of adolescent girls and all women of reproductive age in Kerala are suggested, in addition to continuing the emphasis in current rural health and nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating mothers.