Risk Factors For Malnutrition Research Articles

Risk factors of malnutrition among preschool children in Sulaimani governorate/Iraq

Background: The prevalence of childhood malnutrition is relatively high among children in developing nations, and it is a multifaceted problem. It is necessary to identify the key contributing factors to malnutrition in the target population in order to put control and prevention measures in place and lower the chances of malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of undernourished children under the age of five and the risk factors causing malnutrition, in Sulaimani governorate/Iraq. Methods: A case control study was conducted in the maternal and child health clinics in four health centers of Sulaimani, Iraq from October 2021 to April 2022.Case was a child with moderate to severe malnutrition with z-scores < −2SD and > +2SD from the median of WHO reference. Control was a child without malnutrition with z-scores between -2SD and +2SD and the age matched with cases. Direct interviews with the mother of each child were conducted, and the weight and height of each child were measured. We gathered information on socioeconomic features, environmental aspects, child characteristics, caregiver methods and resources. Results: A total of 293 children (74 cases and 219 controls) were selected. The majority (34.8 and 79.1%) of the children in the study were in the age group of 24-35 to 12-23 months in case and control groups respectively. After adjusting all confounders, Mother Visit to ANC during pregnancy and method of child delivery are two of childhood significant associations with malnutrition. Conclusion: promoting birth spacing and utilization of parental visit to health centers is the need of the hour for preventing the occurrence of malnutrition among preschool children. Because of the mother visit to ANC centers and family planning were some of the significant determinants of malnutrition that were found in the study.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic malnutrition amongst children under five in Eswatini.

BackgroundAbout 20 million children under fi-ve in Southern Africa have chronic malnutrition. This study determines the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and associated risk factors amongst children under five.AimTo determine the proportion of children with chronic malnutrition and investigate associated risk factors of chronic malnutrition.SettingThe study was conducted in communities in the four regions of Eswatini.MethodsThis study is a retrospective cross-sectional study that used data from a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2014. The study involved 3261 children who are under 5 years of age. Data on nutritional status and household characteristics were used. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with chronic malnutrition in the univariable and multivariable models, respectively.ResultsResults showed that 18.1% (confidence interval [CI]: 18.5–21.5) of children under five have chronic malnutrition. The highest prevalence was 20.8% (CI: 17.4–24.7) in the Shiselweni region, followed by the Manzini region with 17.6% (CI: 14.5–21.1) and the Lubombo region with 17.2% (CI: 13.9–21.2). The lowest prevalence of chronic malnutrition at 16.7% (CI: 13.6–20.3) was the Hhohho region. The results indicated that low birth weight (odds ratio [OR] = 4.63, CI: 1.12–19.2), mothers’ lack of education (OR = 1.50, CI: 1.04–2.17) and children aged 12–24 months (OR = 1.28, CI: 0.88–1.87) were significantly associated with chronic malnutrition.ConclusionThe findings showed that malnutrition is an important public health problem in children under five and needs a multisectoral response. Low birth weight, mothers’ education and the child’s age are risk factors associated with chronic malnutrition.ContributionThe results inform evidence-based programming for the prevention of chronic malnutrition in children thus assist the country to meet sustainable development goals.

Malnutrition risk screening: New insights in a new era

Twenty years ago, ESPEN published its "Guidelines for nutritional screening 2002", with the note that these guidelines were based on the evidence available until 2002, and that they needed to be updated and adapted to current state of knowledge in the future. Twenty years have passed, and tremendous progress has been made in the field of malnutrition risk screening. Many screening tools have been developed and validated for different patient groups and different health care settings. Some countries even have introduced mandatory screening for malnutrition at admission to hospital. Yet, changes in society and healthcare require a reflection on current practice and policies regarding malnutrition risk screening. In this opinion paper, we share our perspectives on malnutrition risk screening in the twenty-twenties, addressing the changing and varying profile of the malnourished individual, the goals of screening and screening tools (i.e., preventive or reactive), the construct of malnutrition risk (i.e., screening for risk factors or screening for existing malnutrition), and screening alongside a patient's journey.

Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6–24 months under poverty alleviation policy in Shanxi province, China: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionChild malnutrition continues to be a major public health issue, accounting for 54% of all child mortality globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of childhood malnutrition and its associated risk factors as well as to explore the best developmental strategy among infants and young children (IYC). MethodologyThis cross-sectional study was conducted six months after the distribution of nutritious YingYangBao (YYB). It involved children aged 6–24 months in Shaanxi Province, China. Data were collected via interviews with parents of IYC, followed by measurements of the children's height and weight. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo software and SPSSv.26, which encompassed descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Ethics approval and parents' informed consent were attained prior to the study. ResultA total of 3431 data were analyzed in the study. The prevalence of stunting was highest among IYC between 12 and 18 months (3.9%). Prevalence of underweight (0.5%) and wasting (1.5%) were highest among IYC aged 18–24 months while the prevalence of overweight was highest among IYC aged 6–12months (9.0%). Significant associating risk factors of malnutrition were IYC from Northern Shaanxi (aOR = 2.24; 95%CI:1.68–2.98) and mothers with parity ≥3 (aOR = 1.52; 95%CI:1.10–2.10). IYC with a higher educated father (aOR = 0.79; 95%CI:0.66–0.95), YYB intervention (aOR = 0.77; 95%CI:0.65–0.90), correct supplementary food time (aOR = 0.84; 95%CI:0.71–1.00) and separate supplementary food preparation (aOR = 0.79; 95%CI:0.66–0.95) were significantly associated with lower risk of malnutrition. ConclusionEven though the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were relatively low (<5%), there is still a need to strengthen existing policies on child nutrition.

Malnutrition, Eating Habits, Food Consumption, and Risk Factors of Malnutrition among Students at the University of Maroua, Cameroon.

Methods Three hundred and thirty students of both sexes, aged between 17 and 35 years old, were recruited from January to February 2018. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and BMI) were measured, and an eating and lifestyle questionnaire was administered to each participant, as well as a 24-hour dietary recall. Results The mean age of participants was 23.95 ± 3.67 years and BMI was 22.19 ± 2.78 kg/m2. Approximately 6.1% were underweight, 12.1% overweight, and 0.9% obese, and all age groups were affected. Concerning eating habits, low protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption were recorded among students. Cereals were the main source of carbohydrates consumed. Besides, 6% of them had a low dietary intake, 21% had a poorly diversified diet, and 2% were highly food insecure. The students' daily macronutrient intake was within the recommended reference values, except for carbohydrates, which exceeded and represented 62.69± 13.84% of daily energy intake. Also, only 32.2% of respondents had adequate energy intake. A poorly diversified diet was associated with a high incidence of overweight. Conclusions Both forms of malnutrition are indeed present among the students of the University of Maroua, and nutritional education for this young segment of the population will be essential to prevent complications associated with malnutrition in the working life.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of In-Hospital Complications in Elderly Patients Using GLIM-, SGA-, and ESPEN 2015-Diagnosed Malnutrition as a Factor.

Background: Malnutrition is prevalent in elderly inpatients and is associated with various adverse outcomes during their hospital stay, but the diagnosis of malnutrition still lacks widely applicable criteria. This study aimed to investigate the association of malnutrition diagnosed with the SGA, ESPEN 2015, and GLIM criteria, respectively, with in-hospital complications in elderly patients. Method: Hospitalized patients over 65 years old who had been assessed with the SGA guideline for malnutrition at admission were retrospectively recruited from a large observational cohort study conducted in 34 level-A tertiary hospitals in 18 cities in China from June to September 2014. Malnutrition was then retrospectively diagnosed using the GLIM and ESPEN 2015 criteria, respectively, for comparison with the results of the SGA scale. The risk factors for malnutrition were analyzed using logistic regression, and the value of the three diagnostic criteria in predicting the in-hospital complications was subsequently explored using multivariate regression and the random forest machine learning algorithm. Results: A total of 2526 subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were selected from the 7122 patients in the dataset, with an average age of 74.63 ± 7.12 years, 59.2% male, and 94.2% married. According to the GLIM, SGA, and ESPEN 2015 criteria, the detection rates of malnutrition were 37.8% (956 subjects), 32.8% (829 subjects), and 17.0% (429 subjects), respectively. The diagnostic consistency between the GLIM and the SGA criteria is better than that between the ESPEN 2015 and the SGA criteria (Kappa statistics, 0.890 vs. 0.590). Logistic regression showed that the risk of developing complications in the GLIM-defined malnutrition patients is 2.414 times higher than that of normal patients, higher than those of the ESPEN 2015 and SGA criteria (1.786 and 1.745 times, respectively). The random forest classifications show that the GLIM criteria have a higher ability to predict complications in these elderly patients than the SGA and ESPEN 2015 criteria with a mean decrease in accuracy of 12.929, 10.251, and 5.819, respectively, and a mean decrease in Gini of 2.055, 1.817, and 1.614, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition diagnosed with the GLIM criteria is higher than that of the SGA and the ESPEN 2015 criteria. The GLIM criteria are better than the SGA and the ESPEN 2015 criteria for predicting in-hospital complications in elderly patients.

Malnutrition is associated with postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

IntroductionMalnutrition in elderly patients with hip fracture has been described as a factor associated with poor outcomes. This evidence for elderly patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis is not well-established. MethodsWe retrospectively studied a cohort of patients with an age ≥65 years admitted to the hospital for THA between January 2018 and December 2020. Demographic characteristics were collected. Albumin and total lymphocyte count were included in the pre-operative analysis and 24h postoperatively. Nutritional screening was carried out 24h postoperatively. GLIM criteria were applied for the diagnosis of malnutrition. Results25 patients out of the total cohort of 65 (38.4%) were malnourished. Five out of six patients (83.3%) with postoperative complications presented malnutrition compared with 20 of 59 patients (33.8%) without postoperative complications (P=0.028). Mean length of stay (LOS) was 3.49±0.88 days. Five out of six (83.3%) patients with postoperative complications presented LOS >3 days compared with one out of six patients (16.6%) with LOS ≤3 days (P=0.009).26 patients (40%) were referred to a community health centre, no differences in diagnosis of malnutrition were detected compared with patients who were discharged home.Patients with a diagnosis of malnutrition were significantly older, had a lower body mass index (BMI), a lower preoperative and postoperative albumin and worse anthropometric parameters. ConclusionsMalnutrition is associated with postoperative complications and longer LOS in elderly patients with elective THA. Risk factors for malnutrition are older age and low BMI.

STUDY ON STUNTING OF 6 TO 59 MONTHS CHILDREN AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITHIN AT GARDEZ CITY, PAKTIA PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN

Introduction: Evidence about risk factors of Stunting is useful to design appropriate policies and strategies to control health problems. Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6-59 months in Paktia Regional Hospital. Material and Methods: A total of 400 children were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement. The interview was conducted with parents/caretakers of the children to fill the questionnaire. SPSS version 25.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Cross tabulation and Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the nutritional status of the children. Results: Statistical association was declared significant if the p-value was less than 0.05. The prevalence of Stunted was 41%. Variables; Gender, Family size, Number of children under 5, Life status of parents, Father's educational level, Mother's educational level, Annual income status, Food items do you feed to children, Awareness about weaning and supplementary food, Awareness about malnutrition, Age Weaning food should be started, Breast-feed status, period of time to feed breast, Food during Pregnancy, Status of immunity, Vaccinated during pregnancy, The age gap between babies and mothers' malnutrition (MUAC) status are statistically associated with Stunting. Height for age (stunted) is high among children aged 6–59 months in Gardez Town. Conclusion: Lack of awareness on malnutrition and child feeding, maternal nutrition status, family size, family income, and the age gap between babies are risk factors of malnutrition. Thus, therefore, the concerned bodies must design policies, which can improve the livelihood of households, works on information dissemination using mass media about malnutrition, weaning, and supplementary foods, and family planning and on meals during pregnancy.

High Pretreatment Mean Corpuscular Volume Can Predict Worse Prognosis in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma who Have Undergone Curative Esophagectomy: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

To establish the prognostic value of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have undergone esophagectomy. The MCV increases in patients with high alcohol and tobacco consumption. Such a lifestyle can be a risk factor for malnutrition, comorbidities related to those habits, and multiple primary malignancies, which may be associated with frequent postoperative morbidity and poor prognosis. This study included 1673 patients with ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy at eight institutes between April 2005 and November 2020. Patients were divided into normal and high MCV groups according to the standard value of their pretreatment MCV. Clinical background, short-term outcomes, and prognosis were retrospectively compared between the groups. Overall, 26.9% of patients had a high MCV, which was significantly associated with male sex, habitual smoking and drinking, multiple primary malignancies, and malnutrition, as estimated by the body mass index, hemoglobin and serum albumin values, and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index. Postoperative respiratory morbidity (P = 0.0075) frequently occurred in the high MCV group. A high MCV was an independent prognostic factor for worse overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.049-1.533; P = 0.014) and relapse-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.047-1.455; P = 0.012). A high MCV correlates with habitual drinking and smoking, malnutrition, and multiple primary malignancies and could be a surrogate marker of worse short-term and long-term outcomes in patients with ESCC who undergo esophagectomy.

Food Insecurity Is Common in the Orthopedic Trauma Population: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectivesMalnutrition increases the risk for adverse outcomes after musculoskeletal trauma. Food insecurity is an increasingly recognized risk factor for malnutrition. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for food insecurity in a diverse population treated for operative fracture fixation. MethodsA two-center study (Midwest and Pacific Northwest) enrolled participants of any age within 6 months of operative fixation of pelvis or extremity fractures. Food insecurity was assessed using the USDA Household Food Insecurity questionnaire. A score ≥3 indicated food insecurity, 1 or 2 indicated marginal food security, and 0 indicated high food security. Subgroup analysis was performed for participants with available demographic, income, and food access data. Differences between food insecure and food secure participants in continuous and categorical variables were evaluated using the Wilcoxon sum rank test and Fisher’s exact test, respectively. Spearman’s correlation was used to describe associations between food security scores and participant characteristics. Logistic regression was used to relate patient demographics and odds of food insecurity. ResultsOf the 476 participants enrolled, 53 (11%) were food insecure, 48 (10%) had marginal food security, and 375 (79%) were food secure. Those with food insecurity were more commonly female (p < 0.0001). Participants with a household income ≤$15,000 were 5.7 times more likely to be food insecure (95% CI 1.8–18.1). Widowed/single/divorced participants were 10.2 times more likely to experience food insecurity than married/partnered participants (95% CI 2.3–45.6). Median time to the nearest full-service grocery store was significantly longer for food insecure (t = 10 minutes) than for food secure participants (t = 7 minutes, p = 0.0202). Time to store demonstrated a weak correlation with food security score (r = 0.23, p = 0.0041). Age (r = –0.08, p = 0.327) and hours working (r = –0.10, p = 0.429) demonstrated no correlation with food security score. ConclusionsFood insecurity is common in the musculoskeletal trauma population. Those with lower household incomes and living alone are more likely to experience food insecurity. Food insecurity is a potentially modifiable risk factor for malnutrition-related complications after operative fracture fixation. Funding SourcesNone.

The burden of diarrhoeal diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a time-series analysis of the global burden of disease study estimates (1990–2019)

BackgroundDiarrhoeal diseases are important causes of disability and mortality being one of the main causes of mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of the largest and wealthiest African countries, DRC has been for long subjected to continuous political and economic instability, conflicts and disease outbreaks. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap in understanding how prevalence, mortality and burden of diseases in DRC changed over time and examine the influence of specific factors in these disease-related outcomes.MethodsA time-series analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 estimates was performed to describe prevalence, years lived with disabilities (YLDs) and mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases, by age-group and sex, between 1990–2019 in DRC. The contribution of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and child malnutrition risk factors to these outcomes was also analysed. Piecewise regression analysis was used to assess trends over time.ResultsThe overall age-standardised prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases for both sexes in DRC was 1350.84 (UI:1240.16—1461.62) cases per 100,000 people in 1990. The prevalence increased until 2019, also fuelled by the movement of Rwandan refugees to DRC and First/Second Congo wars between 1996–2003. Age-standardised prevalence and mortality were consistently higher in males, compared to females, decreasing by 42% and 54%, respectively, between 1990 and 2019. Overall prevalence was also usually higher in over 70 years old, except between 1998–2003 when mortality in under five years old was the highest. Unsafe water sources and child wasting among under five years old were the main contributors to YLDs and deaths associated to diarrhoeal diseases in DRC.ConclusionDiarrhoeal diseases are important and preventable causes of disability and mortality in DRC. National measures of surveillance and cost-effective interventions targeting the identified risk groups could be effective in reducing its prevalence and associated burden.

High Nutritional Vulnerability and Associated Risk Factors of Bangladeshi Wetland Community People Aged 50 Years and Older

People aged 50 years and over often show nutritional vulnerability in South Asia, including Bangladesh. Consequently, they present physical weakness and illness that escalate overtime. Community-focused investigations have the potential to inform healthcare interventions in Bangladesh, but current studies examine older adults’ nutrition status which are not all-encompassing (e.g., wetland communities). We, therefore, assessed the malnutrition status among wetland community-dwelling older adults aged ≥50 years in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 older adults living in the north-eastern wetland community of the country through simple random sampling. Demographics and general health information were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the Nestlé Mini Nutrition Assessment—Short Form was used to assess nutrition status. Respondents’ socio-demographic and health profiles were assessed, and the Pearson Chi-square test was performed to identify the associated risk factors of malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were 59.75 and 39.75 percent, respectively. The malnutrition prevalence rate was higher with increasing of age and females were more malnourished than males. Age, gender, educational status, occupation, and income were significantly associated with the participants’ malnutrition. The wetland community-dwelling people suffering from sleep disorders and having poor health condition, were found to be more malnourished. The findings confirm that the prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition are high among the wetland community-dwelling people aged ≥50 years. Our findings suggest health professionals to implement public health nutrition surveillance and clinical interventions simultaneously in wetland elderly to improve nutritional status of this cohort.

Prevalence of Under Nutrition and Its Risk Factors among Children below Two Years of Age in a Tertiary Health Centre in West Bengal

Background: Malnutrition in under five children is prevalent widely. It affects growth as well as development; also causes higher morbidity and mortality among children significantly. This public health problem is multi-factorial.&#x0D; Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of under nutrition and its risk factors among children up to 2 years of age attending a tertiary health care institution of Kolkata.&#x0D; Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 0 – 23 months, attending the Immunization clinic of CMSDH, Kolkata, during December, 2019 –January, 2020. Data were collected by interviewing the accompanying caregivers, anthropometric measurements of the study subjects and review of records.&#x0D; Results: Among 135 children studied, the prevalence of stunting was 14.1% (5.8% severely stunted), underweight was 9.7% (3.8% severely underweight), wasting was 18.5% (8.1% were SAM).Younger age group (0-6 months),boys and children having inappropriate feeding for age were at increased risk of under nutrition. Children having working mothers, birth spacing of &lt;3 years, LBW and delayed initiation of breastfeeding (&gt;1hour) were at higher risk of stunting and underweight. Incorrect age of introduction of complementary feeding had higher risk of wasting.&#x0D; Conclusion: Several risk factors for malnutrition were found which are amenable to prevention.

Risk factors of concurrent malnutrition among children in Ethiopia: a bivariate spatial modeling approach

Malnutrition among children remains a challenge to public health in Africa, and it is responsible for the increased infant mortality rate in Ethiopia. This study aims to identify the joint determinant factors of malnutrition among under-age five children in Ethiopia and quantify the regional prevalence across the country. A Bayesian hierarchical linear mixed model, with a bivariate conditional autoregressive model, was adopted to account for the joint spatial prevalence pattern of malnutrition among under-age five children in Ethiopia. The data were provided by the Demography and Health Surveys program. The study revealed that gender, wealth index, mothers' education, toilet system, fever, birth order, birth interval, contraceptive use, and diarrhea, are significant risk factors of child malnutrition. The three malnutrition indicators are most prevalent in the Afar region, while stunting and underweight are most prevalent in Amhara, Beneshangul Gumuz, and Tigray, and the wasting and underweight are most prevalent in the Gambela and Somali. Findings revealed that a stunted child is more likely to be underweight than being wasted, and a wasted child is more likely to be underweight than being stunted. The findings also revealed significant changes in the prevalence of malnutrition for different mothers and children age groups. For cost-effective malnutrition intervention, programs for parents, such as awareness creation about the modern types of contraceptives, appropriate birth spacing, the benefits of antenatal and postnatal care, for example, are a propitious method to mitigate malnutrition in high prevalent regions than direct intervention to the children. Abbreviations: BICAR, Bivariate Conditional Autoregressive; DHS, Demographic and Health Survey; EDHS, Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey; EA, Enumeration Area; GMRF, Gaussian Markov Random Field; HAZ, Height for Age Z-sscore; INLA, Integrated Nexted Laplace Approximation; MCAR, Multivariate Conditional Autoregressive; MCMC, Markov Chain Monte Carlo; SNNPR, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region; WAZ, Weight for Age Z-score; WHZ, Weight for Height Z-score; WHO, World Health Organization

The Association Between Bangladeshi Adults' Demographics, Personal Beliefs, and Nutrition Literacy: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Survey.

BackgroundPoverty and health illiteracy, combined with inappropriate systems to track disease and infection rates, contribute to children-and-mothers’ poor adherence to nutrient-rich foods intake in Bangladesh. Although risk factors for child and pregnant women malnutrition have been explored, the relationship between Bangladeshi adults’ nutrition literacy and their demographics and personal beliefs remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adults’ nutrition literacy, demographics and personal beliefs in a large sample of Bangladeshi adults.MethodsFour hundred adults from two districts (Dhaka and Chattogram) of Bangladesh participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire containing the Nutrition Literacy Scale. Multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze associations between nutrition literacy and related factors.ResultsThe mean nutrition literacy score was 21.6 (SD: 3.7; range: 11–32) on a scale of 32. Multiple linear regression revealed that being a businessman (β = 1.66, p = 0.013) or private employee (β = 1.08, p = 0.030), having a higher family income (β = 1.17, p = 0.009), and a higher educational level were positively associated with higher nutrition literacy scores compared to their counterparts. Participants who had ever completed a nutrition-related course (β = 4.95, p < 0.001), and who perceived themselves as having a need for accessing nutrition-related information were positively associated with the higher nutrition literacy compared to their counterparts.ConclusionFindings from this study suggest the need for an integrated response plan involving educational interventions and accessible dietary plans targeting adult populations to enhance their nutritional literacy.

Exploring the risk factors of child malnutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa: A scoping review.

Background: Malnutrition prevents children from reaching their full physical and mental potential. Health and physical consequences of prolonged states of malnourishment among children are: delay in their physical growth and motor development; lower intellectual quotient (IQ), greater behavioural problems and deficient social skills; susceptibility to contracting diseases. According to the 2015 Millennium development goal (MDG) report, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for one third of all undernourished children globally, highlighting that malnutrition still remains a major health concern for children under 5 years in the sub-region, thus buttressing the need for urgent intervention. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors of child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa through a scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the following specific subject databases: EBSCOhost, google scholar, Pub med, demographic research and research gate. Attention was paid to keywords during navigation to ensure consistency of searches in each database. Two limiters were applied in all five databases. These included the use of the English language and articles published on child malnutrition in sub Saharan Africa. Results: The researchers identified eight themes for inclusion in the findings. The themes fell into four major categories being maternal related, family related, child related as well as context related factors. These themes reflect factors associated with child malnutrition. Conclusion: This scoping review revealed that there are quite a number of risk factors that lead to child malnutrition. Therefore, there is an urgency for strategic interventions aimed at improving child nutrition through female education if the 2030 end malnutrition SDG 2.2 are to be achieved.

Pathobiochemical aspects of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The role of hydrogen sulfide in the mechanism of cardiocytoprotection (a review)

Aim: systematization of knowledge about the pathobiochemical mechanisms of heart disease in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACMP) and the search for promising ways of cardiocytoprotection. Alcohol abuse is an important medical and social problem, risk factor for metabolic disorders, malnutrition, cancers, dementia, neuropathy, and others. Consumption of large amounts of ethanol increases a risk of sudden cardiac death and cardiac arrhythmias. The term “alcoholic cardiomyopathy” describes a heart disease in people with a history of long-term alcohol use. ACMP is characterized by left ventricular dilatation, decreased wall thickness and (at the later stages) decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (less than 40 %). Analysis of literature data about the mechanisms of alcohol-induced cardiotoxicity revealed trigger factors for myocardial damage. Negative effect of ethanol on the heart is realized through induction of oxidative-nitrosative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, fibrogenesis, hypoenergetic state and ion pump dysfunction, development of endothelial dysfunction, impaired ribosomal synthesis. In-depth study of biochemical mechanisms and identification of new molecular targets, integrated into the pathogenesis of ACMP, will optimize the pharmacotherapy for this pathology. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is a metabolic factor involved in the regulation of cardiovascular activity. Use of exogenous H2S has potent cardioprotective properties in cardio-vascular diseases. Donors of H2S and H2S-releasing drugs (hybrid molecules – H2S-aspirin, H2S-NO) show a powerful cardioprotective role in various pathological conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to further study the role of H2S system in the pathogenesis of ACMP to develop new approaches to more effective treatment of this disease. Conclusions. Modulation of the H2S level in the organism may be a predictor of the severity of myocardial damage, as well as a promising vector in pharmacotherapy, including alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Severe Acute Malnutrition among Less Than Five Children from an Urban Locality of Surat City, Western India

Introduction Undernutrition puts children at greater risk of dying from common infections, increases the frequency and severity of such infections, and delays recovery. The percentage of undernutrition, stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of the age in India are 35.7, 38.4 and 21.0 respectively. The etiology of malnutrition is complex and multi-factorial usually a consequence of inadequate dietary intake and various diseases.&#x0D; Methodology: A community based case-control study was conducted among children aged 6 to 59 months, registered at the Anganwadi centers in an urban locality of Surat city, Gujrat. Study population was divided into cases and controls using WHO classification based on anthropometric measurements.&#x0D; Result: The prevalence of undernutrition and severe acute malnutrition among the under-five children were 26.2 and 8.7% respectively. Significant association was found between nutritional status of the children and type of the family( OR 3.84, 95% CI =1.87-7.86, p = 0.000), low birth weight (OR 4.85, 95% CI =2.29 – 10.26, p = 0.000), poor appetite (OR = 2.89, 95% CI = 1.38-6.01, p = 0.004), bottle feeding (OR = 5.41, 95% CI = 1.91-15.29, p= 0.001) and children with habits of eating wafers/candies (OR = 21.99, 95% CI = 9.02-53.60, p = 0.000).&#x0D; Conclusion: Severe acute malnutrition continues to be an important health concern among under five children in the urban area and is affected by many risk factors which can be mitigated through structured and timely interventions using IEC materials.

Patterns of and risk factors for malnutrition among under-five years children attending a nutrition clinic, Egypt

Patterns of and risk factors for malnutrition among under-five years children attending a nutrition clinic, Egypt

Factors Contributing to Malnutrition in Parkinson's Disease Patients With Freezing of Gait.

Background and PurposeLittle is known about the nutritional status and clinical characteristics of patients with Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait (PDFOG). The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between nutritional status and characteristics of patients with PDFOG.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 178 PDFOG patients were recruited and classified as nutritionally normal or at risk of malnutrition/already malnourished based on their Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores. Each participant underwent a structured questionnaire, physical examination and routine serum biochemical tests.ResultsWe found that 44.4 and 37.1% of PDFOG patients were malnourished [mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score <17] and at risk of malnutrition (17 ≤ MNA score ≤ 23.5), respectively. Compared to patients with normal nutrition, PDFOG patients with malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition had longer duration of Parkinson's disease (PD) and freezing of gait (FOG), more levodopa equivalent daily doses (LEDD), lower body mass index (BMI), more motor symptoms according to the Unified PD Rating Scale-III (UPDRS-III) and non-motor symptoms according to the PD Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire (PD-NMS) (P < 0.05). Uric acid, albumin, prealbumin, and total cholesterol (TC) differed between the two groups (P < 0.05). High Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) stage, high Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ) scores, low TC and low uric acid were risk factors for malnutrition in patients with PDFOG.ConclusionOur results showed disease severity, motor symptoms, TC levels and uric acid levels were all associated with nutritional status in patients with PDFOG. This study suggest early discovery of the nutritional status of PDFOG patients is important.