Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
03:35

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

413

Malnutrition in Infants Aged under 6 Months Attending Community Health Centres: A Cross Sectional Survey

Carlos S Grijalva-Eternod1,2, Emma Beaumont1, Ritu Rana3,4

  • 1London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.

Nutrients
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Malnutrition is common in infants under six months old. Over 21% of infants in Ethiopian health centers showed anthropometric failure, with many experiencing multiple deficits, highlighting the need for better nutritional assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Underestimation of malnutrition burden impacts care prioritization for infants under six months.
  • Anthropometric deficits in infants require accurate assessment for effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of anthropometric deficits in infants under six months using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF).
  • To assess the overlap between different individual anthropometric indicators in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A two-week survey was conducted in 18 health centers in Ethiopia's Oromia region.
  • Weight, length, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured in infants under six months.
  • Weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ) z-scores were calculated.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 21.7% of infants under six months presented with CIAF, indicating significant anthropometric failure.
  • 10.7% of these infants exhibited multiple anthropometric deficits.
  • Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) showed greater overlap with other deficits (stunting, wasting, CIAF) compared to MUAC.

Conclusions:

  • Anthropometric deficits, both single and multiple, are prevalent among infants attending health centers.
  • The findings underscore the need for comprehensive nutritional assessments in early childhood interventions.
  • WAZ is a valuable indicator for identifying infants with multiple anthropometric failures.

Keywords:
EthiopiaMAMIanthropometric deficitinfants under 6 monthsmalnutritionthe Composite Index of Anthropometric Failureweight-for-age

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

17.8K
Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management05:35

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management

Published on: January 19, 2024

1.0K

Related Concept Videos

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
380
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
460
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
552
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
2.4K