The effect of malaria on stunting: an instrumental variables approach
François Freddy Ateba1,2, Seydou Doumbia1, Feiko O Ter Kuile3,4
1Malaria Research and Training Center & Department of Public Health Education and Research of the Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, BP 1805 Point G Bamako, Mali.
Background:
Previous studies have found mixed evidence for an effect of malaria on stunting, but have suffered from concerns about confounding and/or power. Currently, an effect of malaria on stunting is not included in the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model.
Methods:
We used instrumental variables regression with the sickle cell trait and random assignment to bednets as instruments in the analysis of data on children aged 0-2 y from a bednet trial in western Kenya.
Results:
We estimated that one additional clinical malaria episode per year increases the odds of a child being stunted by 6% (OR estimate: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11).
Conclusions:
Our finding that malaria affects stunting suggests that an effect of malaria on stunting in young children should be considered in the LiST model.
Related Concept Videos
Nature and Nurture
Regression Toward the Mean


