title: Diarrhea in early childhood: short-term association with weight and long-term association with length.
abstract: The short-term association between diarrhea and weight is well-accepted, but the long-term association between diarrhea and growth is less clear. Using data from 7 cohort studies (Peru, 1985-1987; Peru, 1989-1991; Peru, 1995-1998; Brazil, 1989-1998; Guinea-Bissau, 1987-1990; Guinea-Bissau, 1996-1997; and Bangladesh, 1993-1996), we evaluated the lagged relationship between diarrhea and growth in the first 2 years of life. Our analysis included 1,007 children with 597,638 child-days of diarrhea surveillance and 15,629 anthropometric measurements. We calculated the associations between varying diarrhea burdens during lagged 30-day periods and length at 24 months of age. The cumulative association between the average diarrhea burden and length at age 24 months was -0.38 cm (95% confidence interval: -0.59, -0.17). Diarrhea during the 30 days prior to anthropometric measurement was consistently associated with lower weight at most ages, but there was little indication of a short-term association with length. Diarrhea was associated with a small but measurable decrease in linear growth over the long term. These findings support a focus on prevention of diarrhea as part of an overall public health strategy for improving child health and nutrition; however, more research is needed to explore catch-up growth and potential confounders.
authors: Stephanie A
authors: SA
authors: Richard
authors: Robert E
authors: RE
authors: Black
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Gilman
authors: Richard L
authors: RL
authors: Guerrant
authors: Gagandeep
authors: G
authors: Kang
authors: Claudio F
authors: CF
authors: Lanata
authors: Kåre
authors: K
authors: Mølbak
authors: Zeba A
authors: ZA
authors: Rasmussen
authors: R Bradley
authors: RB
authors: Sack
authors: Palle
authors: P
authors: Valentiner-Branth
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Checkley
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: child health; diarrhea; malnutrition; stunting; wasting
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