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Diarrhea among infants and young children in Canada: a longitudinal study in three northern communities
Insights
Rotavirus infections in neonates were higher in northern Canadian communities, with no protective effect from breastfeeding observed. Norwalk virus infections were linked to unsafe water supplies in Berens River.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Neonatal diarrhea is a significant health concern, particularly in remote communities.
- Understanding the etiological agents and risk factors for neonatal diarrhea is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and etiological agents of diarrhea in neonates and their siblings across diverse Canadian communities.
- To explore the potential roles of rotavirus and Norwalk virus in neonatal diarrhea and their association with environmental and feeding factors.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted involving 98 families in Winnipeg, 31 Native Indian families, and 15 Inuit families in northern Canada.
- Diarrhea incidence was monitored in neonates and siblings, with specific attention to rotavirus and Norwalk virus infections.
- Factors such as breastfeeding practices and water supply safety were assessed in relation to infection rates.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus infection rates in neonates were significantly higher in northern communities (0.36-1.07 infections/child/year) compared to Winnipeg.
- Breastfeeding did not show a protective effect against rotavirus; Eskimo Point, with high breastfeeding rates, had the highest rotavirus incidence.
- Norwalk virus infection was most prevalent in Berens River (0.15 infections/child/year), associated with unsafe water supplies.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus infections in neonates are more common in the Canadian North, independent of breastfeeding.
- Norwalk virus infections in neonates appear to be associated with inadequate sanitation and unsafe water sources.
- These findings highlight the need for distinct public health strategies addressing viral gastroenteritis in diverse Canadian populations.
Abstract:
Diarrhea among neonates and their siblings was studied in 98 families living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in 31 native Indian families and in 15 Inuit (Eskimo) families living in isolated settlements in northern Canada. The rate of infection due to rotavirus in neonates was significantly higher and infection occurred more often in the first six months of life in the northern communities (range, 0.36 in Winnipeg to 1.07 in Eskimo Point). No protective effect of breast-feeding was discerned, since infection due to rotavirus occurred more frequently and earliest in neonatal life in Eskimo Point, the community with the highest rate of breast-feeding. In contrast, infection due to Norwalk virus was most common among the neonates of Berens River (0.15 infections per child per year), the only community with relatively unsafe water supplies. Infection due to rotavirus appears to be more frequent in the far North, whereas infection due to Norwalk virus appears to be related more to inadequate sanitation.