Early determinants of linear growth and weight attained in the first year of life in a malaria endemic region

Author(s):Show less -

Dal Bom, Juliana Paghi ^[1] ; Mazzucchetti, Lalucha ^[2] ; Malta, Maira Barreto ^{[3, 2]} ; Ladeia-Andrade, Simone ^[4] ; de Castro, Marcia Caldas ^{[5, 6]} ; Cardoso, Marly Augusto ^{[3, 2]} ; Lourenco, Barbara Hatzlhoffer ^{[3, 2]} ; Manitto, Alicia Matijasevich ^[3] ; Abanto, Jenny ^[3] ; Agostinho Gimeno, Suely Godoy ^[3] ; Damasceno, Ana Alice ^[7] ; da Silva, Bruno Pereira ^[7] ; de Souza, Rodrigo Medeiros ^[7] ; Grp, MINA-Brazil Study Working

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Fiocruz MS, Oswaldo Cruz Inst, Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[5] Harvard TH Chan Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Global Hlth & Populat, Boston, MA - USA

^[6] Harvard TH Chan Sch Publ Hlth, Boston, MA - USA

^[7] Univ Fed Acre, Cruzeiro Do Sul - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 14, n. 8 AUG 6 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We investigated linear growth and weight attained among 772 children at 10-15 months of age in the first population-based birth cohort in the Brazilian Amazon. Sociodemographic, maternal and birth characteristics were collected in interviews soon after birth at baseline. Anthropometric evaluation was conducted at 10-15 months. Multiple linear regression models were fitted for length-for-age (LAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z scores (BAZ), considering a hierarchical conceptual framework with determinants at distal, intermediate and proximal levels, with adjustment for the child's sex and age. Mean LAZ and BAZ were 0.31 (SD: 1.13) and 0.35 (SD: 1.06), respectively. Overall, 2.2% of children were stunted and 6.6% overweight. Among socioeconomic factors, household wealth index was positively associated with LAZ (p for trend = 0.01), while children whose families received assistance from the Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program were 0.16 Z score thinner (95% CI: -0.31, -0.00). Maternal height and BMI were positively associated with both LAZ and BAZ at 10-15 months of age (p for trend <0.001). Child's size at birth was positively related with LAZ (p< 0.001 for both birth weight and length). BAZ was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.44) higher, but 0.11 lower (95% CI: -0.21, -0.02), for each increase in 1 Z score of birth weight and length, respectively. Children with at least one reported malaria episode within the first year of life were 0.58 (95% CI: -1.05, -0.11) Z score shorter. Socioeconomic and intergenerational factors were consistently associated with LAZ and BAZ at 10-15 months of age. The occurrence of malaria was detrimental to linear growth. In a malaria endemic region, reduction of inequalities and disease burden over the first 1,000 days of life is essential for taking advantage of a critical window of opportunity that can redirect child growth trajectories toward better health and nutrition conditions in the long term. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/00270-6 - MINA study - Maternal and child health in Acre: birth cohort in the Western Brazilian Amazon
• Grantee: Marly Augusto Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants