Sickle Cell Trait and Stunting in Young Children
Author Information
Author(s): Kreuels Benno, Ehrhardt Stephan, Kreuzberg Christina, Adjei Samuel, Kobbe Robin, Burchard Gerd D, Ehmen Christa, Ayim Matilda, Adjei Ohene, May Jürgen
Primary Institution: University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Hypothesis
In areas with high malaria transmission, HbAS may, through protection against malaria, also confer protection against stunting in young children.
Conclusion
Young children with sickle cell trait (HbAS) have a lower risk of stunting in an area with high malaria transmission, most likely mediated through protection against mild malaria.
Supporting Evidence
- Carriers of the HbAS genotype had a 58% decreased risk of being stunted at two years of age compared to HbAA carriers.
- The protective effect of HbAS on stunting was significant only in children who experienced malaria episodes.
- At recruitment, 4% of children were stunted, which increased to 20% by the end of the follow-up period.
Takeaway
Kids with sickle cell trait are less likely to be short for their age if they live in places with a lot of malaria, probably because the trait helps protect them from getting sick.
Methodology
1,070 children were recruited at three months of age and followed-up for 21 months with anthropometric measurements performed every three months.
Potential Biases
Minimal bias due to loss of only 19 children to follow-up.
Limitations
Follow-up bias due to the restriction of the analysis to children who were available for six anthropometric measurements.
Participant Demographics
Children from the Ashanti Region, Ghana, aged three months to two years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.034
Confidence Interval
0.33–0.96
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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