Abstract
BackgroundAntibodies to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and flagellin have been described as indirect measures of increased gastrointestinal permeability and may be markers of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a condition linked to poor child growth.
ObjectiveTo assess whether serum LPS‐ and flagellin‐specific immunoglobulin concentrations are associated with poor growth among young Tanzanian children at risk of EED.
MethodsBlood samples were obtained from 590 children at age 6 wks, 6 and 12 mths. Serum LPS‐ and flagellin‐specific immunoglobulin levels (IgA and IgG) were measured by ELISA. Growth was measured monthly for 18 mths.
ResultsAt 6 wks, compared to infants with LPS‐IgA, LPS‐IgG, flagellin‐IgA, and flagellin‐IgG levels in the lowest quartile, those with values in the highest quartile were, respectively, 1.93 (95% CI 1.06, 3.51), 2.89 (1.49, 5.61), 2.09 (1.11, 3.91), and 2.67 (1.38, 5.16) times more likely to become underweight (WAZ <‐2) after adjusting for covariates (p <0.05). These 6 wk markers were not related to the risk of stunting (LAZ <‐2). There was no association between any of the markers at 6 or 12 mths and subsequent underweight or stunting. 
ConclusionEED in early infancy, as measured by serum levels of LPS‐ and flagellin‐specific immunoglobulins, is associated with underweight. The relationship between these markers and other EED diagnostic tests requires further study.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have