Malnutrition and Infection - A review - Nutrition policy discussion paper No. 5 (UNSSCN, 1989, 144 p.): MALNUTRITION AND INFECTION - by Andrew Tomkins and Fiona Watson1: 5. LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND RISK OF INFECTION

Malnutrition and Infection - A review - Nutrition policy discussion paper No. 5 (UNSSCN, 1989, 144 p.)

MALNUTRITION AND INFECTION - by Andrew Tomkins and Fiona Watson1

		(introduction...)
		1. THE NUTRITION CYCLE
		2. THE INFECTION CYCLE
		3. INFECTION AND RISK OF MALNUTRITION
		4. MALNUTRITION AND RISK OF INFECTION
		5. LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND RISK OF INFECTION
		6. CONCLUSIONS
		7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
		8. ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF REFERENCES IN BIBLIOGRAPHY
		9. NUTRITION AND INFECTION RE-EXAMINED: A RETROSPECTIVE COMMENT BY NEVIN S SCRIMSHAW

5. LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND RISK OF INFECTION

There is clear evidence of an association between low birth weight (LBW) and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Few studies have emphasised the difference between results in infants who are born small but well developed (small for gestational age) from those who are born prematurely.

Colonisation

There is no data on colonisation by pathogens among infants of different birth weights.

Immune response

Chandra (1981) has shown reduction of cellular immunity in both preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) babies. The abnormalities reverted to normal earlier in preterm infants than in SGA infants. As micronutrient deficiencies are relatively frequently found in SGA infants it may be that micronutrient deficiencies caused immune suppression in this study. A further study of LBW infants in Canada (Ferguson 1978) showed a reduction in cellular immunity.

Morbidity

LBW was associated with increased prevalence of diarrhoea among Sri Lankan children, after allowing for birth order and socio-economic group (Mertens et al 1987).

Mortality

Birth weight and anthropometric indices of Guatemalan infants (weight, length, chest and mid upper arm circumference) were related to risk of subsequent mortality (De Vaquera 1983). The most sensitive predictor of survival was mid upper arm circumference. A similar study among Indian infants (Bhargaram et al 1985) also showed that mid upper arm circumference was a useful predictor of mortality.