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[Nutritional status in children under 6 years of age and its relation to malaria and intestinal parasitism]
A Domínguez-Vázquez1, A Alzate-Sánchez
1Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Insights
This study investigated child malnutrition and malaria in Colombia. Malnutrition was linked to higher antibody levels for Plasmodium vivax, but not P. falciparum.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Context:
- Childhood malnutrition is a significant public health issue in developing regions.
- Malaria and intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent in the Colombian Pacific Coast.
- Understanding the interplay between nutrition and parasitic diseases is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children under six in Cordoba, Colombia.
- To investigate the relationship between nutritional status, malaria, and intestinal parasitism.
- To identify potential associations for future longitudinal studies.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study of 128 children in Cordoba, Colombia, assessed nutritional status (Waterlow and Gómez classifications), malaria (P. falciparum, P. vivax), and intestinal parasites.
- Results indicated significant malnutrition prevalence. Geometric mean antibody titers for P. falciparum were higher in well-nourished children, while P. vivax titers were higher in malnourished children.
- No significant associations were found between malnutrition and intestinal helminth intensity, dwelling quality, or breastfeeding duration.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the complex relationship between malnutrition and malaria, suggesting differential impacts of Plasmodium species.
- The study underscores the need for further longitudinal research to establish causality between nutrition and malaria.
- Results can inform public health strategies for integrated management of childhood malnutrition and parasitic diseases in endemic areas.
Abstract:
In order to determine the prevalence of the nutritional situation in children under six years of age and to study the relation with malaria and intestinal parasitism an epidemiological study of a cross sectional was carried out in Cordoba locality, Buenaventura Municipality in the Colombian Pacific Coast. One hundred and twenty eight children were studied to whom a questionnaire, a thick smear examination, and a serological test through the indirect immunofluorescence reaction was practiced. Coproparasitoscopic examination were also done in addition to medical and clinical anthropometric examinations, the latter consisting of the measurements of weight and height. The results of this investigation showed a prevalence of the nutritional state, according to Waterlow classification, of 0.81 percent, 17 percent and 2 percent for the first, second and third degree of malnutrition respectively. Instead, according to the Gómez classification it was 49 percent, 14 percent and 2 percent for the slight, moderate and severe degrees of malnutrition. When the geometric mean of the antibody titles for P. falciparum and for P. vivax were compared, using the methodology of the Waterlow classification, statistical associations were discovered and it was found that the geometric mean for P. falciparum were higher in those children that didn't have any malnutrition. Nevertheless, the geometric mean for P. vivax was higher for those children with a certain degree of malnutrition. Nevertheless, when the intensity of infection of the intestinal helminths, the quality of the dwelling and the breast-fed time duration were compared, no significant differences were detected, therefore we believe it convenient to keep on with this type of investigation, specially with those longitudinal-type studies so as to detect causal association in the relation nutrition/malaria.