scholarly journals Evaluation of children with protein energy malnutrition and level of malaria parasitemia in Kwara State, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aishat Oluwatoyin Saka ◽  
Mohammed Jamiu Saka ◽  
Lateefat Olayinka Sa’adu

Malaria and Protein-Energy-Malnutrition (PEM) are two major causes of childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria can predispose a child to PEM and the reverse may also be true. Recent studies have presented inconsistent findings about nutritional status and the occurrence of malaria among the children. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between PEM and malaria parasitemia if any. A case control study in which 90 children diagnosed for PEM (aged 6-59 months), and another well-nourished 90 children age and sex-matched controls were evaluated for malaria parasitemia. A semi-structured proforma was used to obtain relevant information on the children’s sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional indices amongst others. Venous blood sample was collected and thick and thin blood film were prepared and viewed under the microscope. Malaria parasitemia was present in 82 (91.1%) of malnourished group and 12 (13.3%) of the well-nourished group (P<0.05 OR=66.62). Malaria parasitemia was highest in those with kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor compared with underweight. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The study demonstrates that malnourished children have higher degree of malaria parasitemia and are at risk of malaria. It also shows that severe forms of malnutrition are associated with heavier malaria parasitemia. It is therefore recommended that all malnourished children should have access to use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), malaria chemoprophylaxis as well as empiric treatment of malaria in endemic areas where access to malaria parasite diagnosis is difficult.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Taofeek T. Adegboyega ◽  
Michael T. Abberton ◽  
AbdelAziz H. AbdelGadir ◽  
Mahamadi Dianda ◽  
Busie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
...  

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms) is an annual legume with the capacity to produce bean seeds in a pod and produce tubers with varying seed patterns and colors. It is suggested to have the potential to significantly boost food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to its considerable nutritional qualities but still yet underutilized. Many farmers show limited interest in its production owing to limited knowledge of its nutritional profile, income generation capacity for small-holder farmers’, processing, and other related utilization concerns. This study evaluated the proximate and antinutrient composition of processed and unprocessed seeds of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms.). Seeds were harvested from the experimental research field consisting of 50 accessions at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. They were divided into two portions; the first was processed by oven drying at 60°C for 24 hours and the second was left raw. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the levels of proximate and antinutrient in the forms in which the samples were analyzed. TSs104 had the highest protein content of 25.08%, while the lowest was TSs68 (20.50%). However, in the unprocessed seed, protein content ranged between 24.93% (TSs38) and 19.13% (TSs11). Both processed and unprocessed seeds had high carbohydrate contents. In processed seeds, TSs9 (62.93%) had the highest percentage and TSs1 (29.64%) recorded the lowest. In unprocessed seed, the percentage ranged between 67.36% (TSs4) and 54.23% (TSs38). The observed variation may suggest possible suitability of seed for various end-use products and targeted breeding programs for crop improvements. In sub-Saharan Africa, this lesser-known legume could be adapted as a promising food crop in combating protein-energy malnutrition.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Temitope D. Awobusuyi ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Kirthee Pillay

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a major health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Relying on unexploited and regionally available rich sources of proteins such as insects and sorghum might contribute towards addressing PEM among at-risk populations. Insects are high in nutrients, especially protein, and are abundant in SSA. Sorghum is adapted to the tropical areas of SSA and as such it is an appropriate source of energy compared with temperate cereals like wheat. It is necessary to assess whether cookies fortified with sorghum and termite would be suitable for use in addressing PEM in SSA. Whole grain sorghum meal and termite meal were mixed at a 3:1 ratio (w/w sorghum:termite) to form a sorghum–termite meal blend. Composite cookies were prepared where the sorghum–termite blend partially substituted wheat flour at 20%, 40%, and 60% (sorghum–termite blend:wheat flour (w/w). The functional and nutritional qualities of the cookies were assessed. Compared with the control (100% wheat flour), the cookies fortified with sorghum and termite had about double the quantity of protein, minerals, and amino acids. However, with increased substitution level of the sorghum–termite blend, the spread factor of the cookies decreased. There is a potential to incorporate sorghum and termite in cookies for increased intake of several nutrients by communities that are vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, especially PEM.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Iqbal Hossain ◽  
M. A. Wahed ◽  
Shaheen Ahmed

Background In Bangladesh, as in other developing countries, protein–energy malnutrition is most prevalent among children during weaning. After weaning, children are often fed cereal-based diluted low-calorie porridge, resulting in growth-faltering. Objective To assess the effect on food intake of adding amylase-rich flour (ARF) from germinated wheat to supplementary food among children in nine rural Community Nutrition Centers under the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project (BINP). Methods A total of 166 malnourished children of either sex, aged 6 to 24 months, received one of three diets randomly allocated to the Community Nutrition Centers. The composition of the diets was the same; however, the consistency and calorie density were altered by adding either ARF or water. Thirty-five children received the standard supplementary food of the BINP (S-SF), 65 received supplementary food with added ARF (ARF-SF), and 66 received supplementary food with added water (W-SF). The children were studied for six weeks. Results The mean ± SD intake of supplementary food from a single meal by children completing six weeks on the diets was higher for children receiving ARF-SF (33.91 ± 8.25 g) than for those receiving S-SF (25.66 ± 6.73 g) or W-SF (30.26 ± 8.39 g) (p < .05 for both comparisons). The weight of vomited food was significantly higher for children receiving W-SF than for children in the other two groups. Weight gain and increments in length and weight-for-height were higher for children who received ARF-SF than for children in the other two groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. The acceptability of ARF-SF was higher than that of the two other diets. The additional cost of adding 2 g of ARF to the diet was about Taka 0.25 (US$1 = Taka 48). Conclusions Addition of ARF to existing standard supplementary food, as used under the BINP program, is a simple and effective means to increase the intake of food by changing its consistency, thus making it easier for malnourished children to ingest.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oralia Nájera ◽  
Cristina González ◽  
Guadalupe Toledo ◽  
Laura López ◽  
Rocío Ortiz

ABSTRACT Protein-energy malnutrition is the primary cause of immune deficiency in children across the world. It has been related to changes in peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of infection and malnutrition on the proportion of peripheral-lymphocyte subsets in well-nourished non-bacterium-infected (WN), well-nourished bacterium-infected (WNI), and malnourished bacterium-infected (MNI) children by flow cytometry. A prospectively monitored cohort of 15 MNI, 12 WNI, and 17 WN children was studied. All the children were 3 years old or younger and had only bacterial infections. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of T CD3+ (P < 0.05 for relative and P < 0.03 for absolute values), CD4+ (P < 0.01 for relative and absolute values), and CD8+ (P < 0.05 for relative values) lymphocyte subsets in WNI children compared to the results seen with WN children. Additionally, B lymphocytes in MNI children showed significant lower values (CD20+ P < 0.02 for relative and P < 0.05 for absolute values) in relation to the results seen with WNI children. These results suggest that the decreased proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets observed in WNI children were associated with infection diseases and that the incapacity to increase the proportion of B lymphocyte was associated with malnutrition. This low proportion of B lymphocytes may be associated with the mechanisms involved in the immunodeficiency of malnourished children.


Author(s):  
Foluke Onaleye

The current management to prevent Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is examined and the use of technological tools such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and mobile solutions are employed to prevent the development of PEM and its complications. Implementation of technological solutions in healthcare is a critical factor in achieving better health outcomes as documented in some parts of the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is behind on the adoption of electronic health records and other health information technology solutions due to several challenges such as lack of funding and infrastructure required to implement its use. Recent studies show that Sub-Saharan Africa is slowly gravitating towards adoption of health information technology particularly EHR systems and mobile solutions because of the need to find solutions to its healthcare crisis. Development of a PEM prevention system using these tools to enhance the current management will improve patient health outcomes and decrease the mortality rate of PEM.


1981 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Sheffer ◽  
S. M. Grantham-McGregor ◽  
S. J. Ismail

SummaryThis investigation was part of a longitudinal study of mental development of seventeen Jamaican children who were admitted to hospital with severe protein energy malnutrition. The children were compared with 20 adequately nourished children who were admitted to hospital for other reasons.Previous research had shown that, 1 month after the children left hospital, both groups had similar scores on a modified Caldwell Inventory of Home Stimulation. When, in the present investigation, the inventory was repeated 24 months later, scores remained similar in both groups. When compared with data collected from a survey in a poor neighbourhood, again the scores of the neighbourhood children were similar to those of the malnourished group. The malnourished children were however living in poorer houses and had failed to catch up to the other groups in nutritional status.Comparison of these findings with those from other countries suggests that the ecology of malnutrition differs in different cultures and that Jamaican mothers of malnourished children are characterized by poverty rather than poor maternal–child relationships.It also appears that, at this age, poor levels of home stimulation were not a major factor in producing the deficit in development manifested by the malnourished group.


Author(s):  
Sumesh Prasad Sah ◽  
Manisha Aroral ◽  
Sudeep Kumar ◽  
Jyoti Batra ◽  
Imran Mustafa ◽  
...  

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare serum total protein, serum albumin and thyroid hormones in children with Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and in healthy controls.Methods: Present study was a cross sectional hospital based case control study, total 75 children of age group 1-5 years were included in this study. Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was estimated by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay method, serum total protein by biuret method, albumin by BCG method and plasma hemoglobin by CMG method. Result: In malnourished children, there is significant decrease in serum total protein (4.76 gm %), albumin (2.24 gm %) and Hb (10.57 gm %) as compared to normal healthy children. Serum T3 (0.51 ng/ml), and T4 (3.93 µg/ml) levels were significantly decreased and non-significant changes in TSH (4.26 µUI/ml) levels in children with PEM was observed as compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: The reduction in protein is due to decreased intake of proteins and reduced biosynthesis. The decreased in T3 and T4 levels in malnourished children is probably due to a decrease in circulating plasma proteins.


1976 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Reeds ◽  
A. A. O. Laditan

1. Deficits in weight- and length-for-age, and serum albumin and transferrin concentrations were determined for children who were either marginally undernourished (twenty-five children) or suffering from either marasmus (thirty-two children) or kwashiorkor (twenty-six children) defined according to the Wellcome Classification (Waterlow, 1972). The measurements were also made in eight children with kwashiorkor after the loss of oedema, and in sixteen children who were recovering from either marasmus or kwashiorkor.2. The mean concentration of serum albumin was similar for children from the ‘under-nourished’ group and from the group with marasmus, but was significantly reduced in those with kwashiorkor.3. The concentration of serum transferrin was significantly reduced in both the group of children with marasmus and those with kwashiorkor. The serum transferrin concentration was significantly lower in children with kwashiorkor when compared with the level in those with marasmus.4. Seventeen children (seven with kwashiorkor and ten with marasmus) died. These children were neither lighter nor shorter than the severely malnourished children who survived. The concentration of serum albumin was not lower in the children who died than in those who survived.5. In contrast to the results for serum albumin concentrations, the children who died had significantly lower levels of serum transferrin than those who survived.6. There was a significant linear relationship between serum transferrin concentrations and the deficits in length-for-age (P < 0·05) and weight-for-length (P < 0·001) in the marginally undernourished children. The deficit in weight-for-length was also linearly related to the serum transferrin concentrations (P < 0·001) in children recovering from severe malnutrition.7. It is suggested that the measurement of serum transferrin concentrations provides an index of severity in severely malnourished children, and should prove useful in field assessments of nutritional status.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1571
Author(s):  
Sudhanshu Kumar Das ◽  
Monalisa Subudhi

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and malnutrition are important causes of morbidity and mortality in  children, in developing countries. Tuberculosis  can be a  cause of  malnutrition in children and also a common cause of pneumonia  in such malnourished children. In the present study ,our aim is to know the  prevalence and early clinical diagnosis of symptomatic not confirmed TB, in recent challenging environment,  in protein energy malnutrition  children, this information would certainly help clinicians in early detection, diagnosis and management of PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis) in such populations ,to reduce morbidity and mortality.Methods: We prospectively investigated protein energy malnutrition children, with clinical features of tuberculosis, between 5 to 15 years of age , admitted during 18 months of study period. Clinical and demographic data  of studied children were collected. Anthropometric (Height and Weight) measurement and physical examination were made. PEM (Protein energy malnutrition) children were classified according to Indian academy of pediatric classification. History of BCG vaccination and exposure to contact were inquired. Chest radiography was done for all  children in our study.Results: A total of 150 protein energy malnutrition children, between 5 to 15 years, admitted over 18 months  period were  studied. Majority of children were female as compared to male and under 5 to 10 years of age. Out of these, symptomatic not confirmed pulmonary TB 93 (62%) and Extra pulmonary TB 18 (12%) and Non TB cases were 39 (26%). According to Grade of PEM, symptomatic not confirmed pulmonary TB cases under grade III were 45 (48.5%) and 35 (37.6%) were under grade II .Conclusions: Pulmonary tuberculosis may be a common cause of pneumonia in malnourished children and  the cause of death in these population. So  Its frequency and early clinical detection ,even without microbiological confirmation and supportive evidence and treatment guideline should be made by more further study. So that, it  will help clinicians to treat these population to reduce morbidity and mortality.


1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. N. Golden ◽  
J. C. Waterlow ◽  
D. Picou

1. Rates of total protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown were measured in five children before and after recovery from severe protein-energy malnutrition and while receiving 0·6 g of protein and 397 kJ day−1 kg−1. 2. These rates were calculated after giving doses of [15N]glycine every 2 h along with the feeds and measuring the rate of excretion of [15N]urea in urine. 3. Malnourished children had significantly lower rates of protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown than after they had recovered. 4. During recovery from protein-energy malnutrition, two children on a daily intake of 1·2 g of protein and 605 J/kg body weight, had rates of protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown that were twice as great as those found on admission and higher than after recovery. 5. On the study diet the malnourished children maintained their weight while the recovered children lost weight; the apparent nitrogen balance was more positive in the malnourished children. 6. In recovered children, the rate of protein synthesis was unchanged over a wide range of protein intake, whereas the rate of protein breakdown appeared to rise with a reduction in protein intake.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document