Title
Catch-up growth in Malawian babies, a longitudinal study of normal and low birthweight babies born in a malarious endemic area
Author
Kalanda, B.F.
van Buuren, S.
Verhoeff, F.H.
Brabin, B.J.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2005
Abstract
Introduction: Infant growth has not been studied in developing countries in relation to maternal factors related to malaria in pregnancy and maternal illiteracy. Objective: To describe growth patterns in infants with low and normal birthweight and determine maternal risk factors for infant undernutrition. Methods: Babies born in a rural district of southern Malawi were recruited. An infant cohort was selected on the basis of low or normal birthweight. Weight and length were recorded at birth and at 4-weekly intervals until at 52 weeks after birth. Maternal characteristics at first antenatal attendance and delivery were obtained. Odds ratios in univariate analysis were adjusted for birthweight. Factors included in the multivariate regression included maternal illiteracy, season of birth, maternal iron deficiency and number of infant illness episodes. Results: Low birthweight infants were shorter and lighter throughout infancy than either normal birthweight or international reference values. At 12 months, placental or peripheral malaria at delivery (adjusted odds 1.8; 1.0, 3.1), number of infant illness episodes (AOR = 2.1; 1.2, 3.6) and maternal illiteracy (AOR = 2.7; 1.5, 4.9) were independently associated with low weight for age. Maternal short stature (AOR = 1.8; 1.1. 3.2), male sex (AOR = 2.4; 1.4, 4.1), number of infant illness episodes (AOR = 2.6; 1.5, 4.4), and birth in the rainy season (2.1; 1.2, 3.7) were independently associated with stunting. Placental or peripheral malaria at delivery (AOR = 2.2; 1.1, 4.4) and number of illness episodes (AOR = 2.2; 1.1, 4.5) were independently associated with thinness. Conclusion: Malaria during pregnancy and maternal illiteracy are important maternal characteristics associated with infant undernutrition. Innovative health/literacy strategies are required to address malaria control in pregnancy in order to reduce the magnitude of its effects on infant undernutrition. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Subject
Health
Birthweight
Infant growth
Catch up growth
Child growth
Cohort analysis
Controlled study
Delivery
Disease association
Endemic disease
Growth inhibition
Infant disease
Iron deficiency
Longitudinal study
Low birth weight
Major clinical study
Malaria control
Malnutrition
Maternal disease
Mother
Newborn
Placenta
Pregnancy
Prenatal care
Reference value
Regression analysis
Risk factor
Rural area
Seasonal variation
Sex difference
Short stature
Body Height
Body Weight
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Longitudinal Studies
Malaria
Malawi
Male
Multivariate Analysis
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3d1ce9fd-5a98-4101-80f9-bfbbeb6c7c4c
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2005.06.006
TNO identifier
238730
ISSN
0378-3782
Source
Early Human Development, 81 (10), 841-850
Document type
article