Malaria linked to poor growth outcomes in children

Prenatal and early childhood exposure to malaria negatively affect growth outcomes in children, as suggested in a study.

Researchers used data from the Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study, which included pregnant women from Kintampo. Mother–child dyads were followed through the child’s first year of life.

Prenatal malaria exposure was determined using histopathological examination of placenta tissue, whereas early childhood malaria exposure was identified via active health surveillance. Latent class growth analyses were conducted to construct growth trajectories for each anthropometric measure (weight and height and corresponding WHO z-scores, mid-upper arm circumference and head circumference), assessed at birth, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age.

A total of 1,144 mother–child dyads were included in the analyses. Of the children, 21.9 percent had malaria exposure and 45.9 percent had early childhood malaria infection.  

Children with vs without prenatal malaria exposure had higher odds of poorer length growth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.46, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.05–2.02), poorer length-for-age z-scores (aOR, 1.53, 95 percent CI, 1.14–2.05), and smaller head circumference (aOR, 1.43, 95 percent CI, 1.04–1.98).

Similarly, children with vs without early childhood malaria infection had increased odds of poorer length-for-age z-score (aOR, 1.12, 95 percent CI, 1.01–1.24).

Prenatal malaria showed a trend toward persistent stunting (aOR, 1.63, 95 percent CI, 0.98–2.71).

The findings underscore the need for public health preventative strategies beginning in pregnancy to reduce malaria incidence and improve early childhood growth.