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Growth and host-pathogen interactions.

Andrew M Prentice1, Momodou K Darboe

  • 1MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. andrew.prentice@lshtm.ac.uk

Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series. Paediatric Programme
|January 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary
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Examining early growth patterns in populations with poor nutrition and infectious disease reveals typical evolutionary growth rates. Understanding these historical patterns may help define optimal infant growth today.

Area of Science:

  • Human Biology
  • Evolutionary Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Infant and child growth trajectories impact adult disease and mortality.
  • Postnatal growth is influenced by diet and environmental factors.
  • Understanding historical growth patterns can inform optimal growth targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate early growth patterns in contemporary populations experiencing poor nutrition and high infectious disease burdens.
  • To use these patterns as a proxy for typical growth during human evolutionary history.
  • To explore how evolutionary growth norms can inform current optimal growth rate definitions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of growth data (height, weight, BMI, head circumference z-scores) from contemporary societies with nutritional deficiencies and high disease prevalence.

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  • Identification of common pathogens and their impact on growth cycles.
  • Comparison of observed growth deficits with standard growth curves.

    • Main Results:

    • Populations studied exhibit significant growth suppression, averaging -1.0 to -1.5 z-scores for height and -2.0 to -2.5 z-scores for weight, BMI, and head circumference.
    • Infectious diseases, both symptomatic and subclinical, are major drivers of growth suppression.
    • A cycle of infection, malabsorption, reduced growth, and lowered immunity is prevalent in young children.

    Conclusions:

    • Contemporary populations with high disease and malnutrition burdens reflect historical growth patterns.
    • Pathogen exposure significantly suppresses early growth.
    • Re-evaluating optimal infant growth may require considering evolutionary environmental pressures and pathogen loads.