Weight Velocity in Addition to Latest Weight Does Not Improve the Identification of Wasting or the Prediction of Stunting and Mortality: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Data from Malawi, South Africa, and Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In low/middle-income countries, most nutritional assessments use the latest weights, without reference to growth trajectory.

Objectives

This study explores whether velocity, in addition to the latest weight, improves the prediction of wasting, stunting, or mortality in the first 2 years of life.

Methods

We analyzed a combined data set with weight and height data collected monthly in the first year of 3447 children from Pakistan, Malawi, and South Africa, with height and survival recorded till 24 m. The main exposures were weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) at the end of each 2-m period and weight velocity-for-age z-score (WVZ₂) across that period. The outcomes were wasting, stunting, or all-cause mortality in the next 1-2 mo. As a sensitivity analysis,

SUBMITTER: Wright CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11375462 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature