The identification of infants at risk of malnutrition in Kingston, Jamaica.
A longitudinal study was carried out on the growth, health and environment of Kingston infants from birth to 1 year of age. In an attempt to identify children at risk of malnutrition, the records of all the children in the 10th percentile for weight at 12 months of age were examined to determine whether they differed in their health, care or social background from the remaining children. Small birth weight children tended to remain in the 10 percentile. High birth order, poor standard of housing, incompetent mothers, repeated attacks of gastroenteritis, poor clinic attendance and poor milk intake were all significantly associated with being underweight at 12 months of age. These factors were inter-related, and the more factors present in each child the smaller the child tended to be. It was hoped that identifying the presence of these factors may assist field workers to give priority to the children most at risk of malnutrition. The need for home visiting in the delivery of health care is highlighted.
D001835:Body Weight; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004777:Environment; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007563:Jamaica; D012306:Risk