Diarrhea and growth among children under 18 months of age in Rio de Janeiro

A study conducted in a periurban Rio de Janeiro community, Vila do João, sought to assess the extent to which diarrhea was influencing the growth of infants and young children. Using a prospective research design, the investigators studied a population of 159 children under 18 months of age living in the study area during the period January--September 1985. Weight and length measurements were used to calculate monthly weight and length increases. Information on diarrhea morbidity was collected at seven-day intervals by means of house-to-house visits. A multiple linear regression model was used to carry out the statistical analysis, which showed inverse and statistically significant correlations between the prevalence of diarrhea and increases in weight and length. It was estimated that the presence of diarrhea reduced increases in weight and length. It was estimated that the presence of diarrhea reduced increases in weight and length by averages of 13.4 g and 0.132 mm per day. These findings support the idea that control of diarrhea can improve nutritional status among children in developing countries.