Anthropometric deficits and the associated risk of death by age and sex in children aged 6–59 months: A meta‐analysis. Issue 1 (27th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thurstans, Susan; Wrottesley, Stephanie V.; Fenn, Bridget; Khara, Tanya; Bahwere, Paluku; Berkley, James A.; Black, Robert E.; Boyd, Erin; Garenne, Michel; Isanaka, Sheila; Lelijveld, Natasha; McDonald, Christine M.; Mertens, Andrew; Mwangome, Martha; O'Brien, Kieran S.; Stobaugh, Heather; Taneja, Sunita; West, Keith P.; Guerrero, Saul; Kerac, Marko; Briend, André; Myatt, Mark
• Is Part Of: Maternal and child nutrition. Volume 19:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27
• Subjects: age -- mortality -- sex -- stunting -- underweight -- wasting; Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Nutritional aspects -- Periodicals; Breastfeeding -- Periodicals; 363.8083
• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-8695

Abstract

Abstract: Risk of death from undernutrition is thought to be higher in younger than in older children, but evidence is mixed. Research also demonstrates sex differences whereby boys have a higher prevalence of undernutrition than girls. This analysis described mortality risk associated with anthropometric deficits (wasting, underweight and stunting) in children 6–59 months by age and sex. We categorised children into younger (6–23 months) and older (24–59 months) age groups. Age and sex variations in near‐term (within 6 months) mortality risk, associated with individual anthropometric deficits were assessed in a secondary analysis of multi‐country cohort data. A random effects meta‐analysis was performed. Data from seven low‐or‐middle‐income‐countries collected between 1977 and 2013 were analysed. One thousand twenty deaths were recorded for children with anthropometric deficits. Pooled meta‐analysis estimates showed no differences by age in absolute mortality risk for wasting (RR 1.08, p = 0.826 for MUAC < 125 mm; RR 1.35, p = 0.272 for WHZ < −2). For underweight and stunting, absolute risk of death was higher in younger (RR 2.57, p < 0.001) compared with older children (RR 2.83, p < 0.001). For all deficits, there were no differences in mortality risk for girls compared with boys. There were no differences in the risk of mortality between younger and older wasted children, supporting continued inclusion of all children under‐five in wasting treatment programmes. The risk of mortality associated with underweight and stunting was higher among younger children, suggesting that prevention programmes might be justified in focusing on younger children where resources are limited. There were no sex differences by age in mortality risk for all deficits. Key points: There is a high risk of mortality associated with child wasting. We found no difference in mortality risk between children 6–23 months and children 24–59 months, indicating the need to include all children under 5 years in wasting treatment programmes. For underweight and stunting, younger children had a significantly higher risk of mortality than older children. Where resources are limited, prevention programmes may be justified in targeting younger children. Despite sex differences in the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight, there were no differences in mortality risk between girls and boys in both younger and older age groups.