Impact of New WHO Growth Standards on Malnutrition in Malawian Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Prost Marc-André, Jahn Andreas, Floyd Sian, Mvula Hazzie, Mwaiyeghele Eleneus, Mwinuka Venance, Mhango Thomas, Crampin Amelia C., McGrath Nuala, Fine Paul E. M., Glynn Judith R.
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
How does switching from the NCHS to the WHO Growth Standards affect the estimated prevalence of malnutrition in rural Malawian infants?
Conclusion
Using the WHO standards increased the estimated prevalence of malnutrition in early infancy significantly compared to the NCHS reference.
Supporting Evidence
- Prevalence estimates for stunting, underweight, and wasting were significantly higher using WHO standards compared to NCHS.
- At one year, the prevalence of underweight was half that with the NCHS reference.
- Patterns of risk factors were similar with both growth references.
Takeaway
The new WHO growth standards show that many more babies in Malawi are considered malnourished compared to the old standards, which means we need to pay more attention to their health.
Methodology
Data were collected from a demographic surveillance system in Northern Malawi, assessing infants at 0-4 months and 11-15 months on various health and nutrition metrics.
Potential Biases
The reliance on demographic surveillance data may introduce biases related to reporting and measurement.
Limitations
The study could not obtain weight and length at birth, which may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Households were predominantly male-headed, with an average maternal age of 25.6 years, and a significant portion of mothers had at least primary education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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