More Like this

1. The effects of household water insecurity on child health and well‐being

   https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1666  

   Rhue, Steven J. ; Torrico, Giulia ; Amuzie, Chioma ; Collins, Shalean M. ; Lemaitre, Andrea ; Workman, Cassandra L. ; Rosinger, Asher Y. ; Pearson, Amber L. ; Piperata, Barbara A. ; Wutich, Amber ; et al ( June 2023 , WIREs Water)

   We extend the conceptualization of the social and health burdens of household water insecurity on children beyond the traditional narrow lens of microbiological pathogens and diarrhea. The global burden of disease associated with water insecurity has traditionally focused on diarrheal disease as the most significant driver of infant and child mortality. However, there are many other pathways through which children experience adverse health and social consequences from inadequate or unsafe household water. We synthesize evidence of a broad range of health impacts, affecting children from infancy to late adolescence, across four domains: exposure to unsafe water; interruptions to growth and development through poor nutrition and hydration; negative social effects such as school absenteeism and interpersonal violence; and other non‐communicable health issues such as mental health, injuries, and reproductive health. The growing burden and urgency of these issues is implicated by forecasted increases in climate‐ and conflict‐induced water scarcity, human displacement, and environmental contamination in the decades ahead.

   This article is categorized under:

   Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

   Human Water > Rights to Water

    

   more » « less
2. Birth mode, breastfeeding and childhood infectious morbidity in the Yucatec Maya

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23218  

   Veile, Amanda ; Faria, Amy A. ; Rivera, Sydney ; Tuller, Sydney M. ; Kramer, Karen L. ( January 2019 , American Journal of Human Biology)

   Cesarean delivery is linked to breastfeeding complications and child morbidity. These outcomes may disproportionately affect Latin American indigenous populations that are experiencing rising cesarean delivery rates, but often inhabit environments that exacerbate postnatal morbidity risks. We therefore assess relationships between birth mode, infant feeding practices, and childhood infectious morbidity in a modernizing Yucatec Maya community, where prolonged breastfeeding is the norm. We predicted that under these conditions, cesarean delivery would increase risk of childhood infectious morbidity, but prolonged breastfeeding postcesarean would mitigate morbidity risk.

   Using a longitudinal child health dataset (n = 88 children aged 0‐60 months, 24% cesarean‐delivered, 2290 observations total), we compare gastrointestinal infectious (GI) and respiratory infectious (RI) morbidity rates by birth mode. We model associations between cesarean delivery and breastfeeding duration, formula feeding and child nutritional status, then model GI and RI as a function of birth mode, child age, and feeding practices.

   Cesarean delivery was associated with longer breastfeeding durations and higher child weight‐for‐age, but not with formula feeding, GI, or RI. Adolescent motherhood and RI were risk factors for GI; formula feeding and GI were risk factors for RI. Regional housing materials protected against GI; breastfeeding protected against RI and mitigated the effect of formula feeding.

   We find no direct link between birth mode and child infectious morbidity. Yucatec Maya mothers practice prolonged breastfeeding, especially postcesarean, and in conjunction with formula feeding. This practice protects against childhood RI, but not GI, perhaps because GI is more susceptible to maternal and household factors.

    

   more » « less
3. A systematic review of hot weather impacts on infant feeding practices in low-and middle-income countries

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.930348  

   Edney, Jessica M. ; Kovats, Sari ; Filippi, Veronique ; Nakstad, Britt ( September 2022 , Frontiers in Pediatrics)

   Increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding could significantly improve infant survival in low- and middle-income countries. There is a concern that increased hot weather due to climate change may increase rates of supplemental feeding due to infants requiring fluids, or the perception that infants are dehydrated.

   To understand how hot weather conditions may impact infant feeding practices by identifying and appraising evidence that exclusively breastfed infants can maintain hydration levels under hot weather conditions, and by examining available literature on infant feeding practices in hot weather.

   Systematic review of published studies that met inclusion criteria in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and Web of Science databases. The quality of included studies was appraised against predetermined criteria and relevant data extracted to produce a narrative synthesis of results.

   Eighteen studies were identified. There is no evidence among studies of infant hydration that infants under the age of 6months require supplementary food or fluids in hot weather conditions. In some settings, healthcare providers and relatives continue to advise water supplementation in hot weather or during the warm seasons. Cultural practices, socio-economic status, and other locally specific factors also affect infant feeding practices and may be affected by weather and seasonal changes themselves.

   Interventions to discourage water/other fluid supplementation in breastfeeding infants below 6 months are needed, especially in low-middle income countries. Families and healthcare providers should be advised that exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended even in hot conditions.

    

   more » « less
4. Infant eating behaviors and Milk feeding independently predict infant size

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23678  

   Barrett, Katherine J. ; Thompson, Amanda L. ( September 2021 , American Journal of Human Biology)

   This study investigates the association of infant eating behaviors with infant size, and if those associations are mediated by infant feeding.

   Mothers with infants less than 12 months of age and living in Central North Carolina were enrolled (N = 61). Data were collected at baseline and at 3‐ and 6‐month follow up visits. Modified constructs from the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ) and Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) measured parents' perceptions of infant eating behaviors related to food approach (enjoyment of food, and food responsiveness) and food avoidance (food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, and slowness in eating). Linear mixed effects models tested longitudinal associations among infant eating behavior ratings, infant feeding (breastfeeding intensity, timing of introduction of complementary foods), and anthropometry (weight, length, and weight‐for‐length z‐scores). Path analyses were stratified by age and tested for direct and indirect effects of mothers' ratings of infant eating behaviors and infant feeding on infant anthropometry.

   Linear mixed models showed that general appetite was associated with higher weight‐for‐age, and satiety responsiveness was associated with lower length‐for‐age. Path analyses showed that infant milk feeding did not mediate associations. Breastfeeding intensity was independently associated with lower weight‐ and length‐for‐agez‐scores. Age at complementary feeding initiation was associated with lower length‐for‐agez‐scores.

   Associations between parental perceptions of general appetite, satiety responsiveness, and infant weight and length are observed early in life. These findings suggest that parental perceptions of infant eating behaviors may contribute to the early developmental programming of later health outcomes.

    

   more » « less
5. Biologically normal sleep in the mother‐infant dyad

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23589  

   Rudzik, Alanna E. F. ; Ball, Helen L. ( March 2021 , American Journal of Human Biology)

   We examine infant sleep from evolutionary, historico‐cultural, and statistical/epidemiological perspectives and explore the distinct conceptions of “normal” produced by each. We use data from the “Sleeping Like a Baby” study to illustrate how these perspectives influence the ideals and practices of new parents.

   The “Sleeping Like a Baby” study investigated maternal–infant sleep in north‐east England. Sleep data for exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) and formula‐feeding (EFF) dyads were captured every 2 weeks from 4 to 18 weeks postpartum through actigraphy and maternal report. Mothers also reported their infant sleep ideals and practices. Results explore objective and maternally‐reported infant sleep parameters, and concordance of maternal ideals and practices with public health guidance.

   Comparison of sleep measures showed that mothers overestimate infant sleep duration compared with actigraphy; EFF mothers' reports were significantly more inaccurate than those of EBF mothers. For infants moved to a separate bedroom, maternally‐reported sleep increases were not borne out by actigraphy. Across the study period, concordance of maternal ideal sleep location with public health recommendations occurred on average for 54% of mothers, while concordance in practice fell from 75% at 4–8 weeks to 67% at 14–18 weeks. Discordance for EBF dyads occurred due to bedsharing, and for EFF dyads due to infants sleeping in a room alone.

   Beliefs about “normal” infant sleep influence parents' perceptions and practices. Clinical and scientific infant sleep discourses reinforce dominant societal norms and perpetuate these beliefs, but biological and evolutionary views on infant sleep norms are beginning to gain traction with parents and health practitioners.

    

   more » « less