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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Nutrition | Research article

Low head circumference during early childhood and its predictors in a semi-urban settlement of Vellore, Southern India

Authors: Kulandaipalayam Natarajan Sindhu, Prashanth Ramamurthy, Karthikeyan Ramanujam, Ankita Henry, Joseph Dian Bondu, Sushil Mathew John, Sudhir Babji, Beena Koshy, Anuradha Bose, Gagandeep Kang, Venkata Raghava Mohan

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Stunting in developing countries continues to be a major public health problem. Measuring head circumference (HC) during clinical anthropometric assessment can help predict stunting. The aim of this study was to assess burden and determine the predictors of low HC (<− 2 SD) at birth and during first 2 years of life in a semi- urban settlement of Vellore.

Methods

The study uses baseline data and serial HC measurements from the birth cohort of MAL-ED study, where 228 children from Vellore completed follow-up between March 2010 to February 2014. Analysis of baseline, maternal and paternal characteristics, micro-nutrient status and cognition with HC measurements was performed using STATA version 13.0 software.

Results

The mean HC (±SD) at 1st, 12th and 24th month were 33.37 (1.29) cm, 42.76 (1.23) cm and 44.9 (1.22) cm respectively. A third of the infants (75/228) had HC less than − 2 SD at first month of life, and on follow-up, 50% of the cohort had HC ≤ -2 SD both at 12th and 24th month. Low HC measurements at all three time-points were observed for 21.6% (46/222) infants. Low HC was significantly associated with stunting in 37.3% (OR = 10.8), 57.3% (OR = 3.1) and 44.4% (OR = 2.6) children at 1st, 12th and 24th month respectively. Bivariate analysis of low HC (<− 2 SD) at 12th month showed a statistically significant association with lower socioeconomic status, low paternal and maternal HC and low maternal IQ. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed maternal (AOR = 0.759, 95% CI = 0.604 to 0.954) and paternal (AOR = 0.734, 95% CI = 0.581 to 0.930) HC to be significantly associated with HC attained by the infant at the end of 12 months.

Conclusions

One-third of the children in our cohort had low head circumference (HC) at birth, with one-fifth recording low HC at all time-points until 2 years of age. Low HC was significantly associated with stunting. Paternal and maternal HC predicted HC in children. HC measurement, often less used, can be a simple tool that can be additionally used by clinicians as well as parents/caregivers to monitor child growth.

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Title: Low head circumference during early childhood and its predictors in a semi-urban settlement of Vellore, Southern India
Authors: Kulandaipalayam Natarajan Sindhu
Prashanth Ramamurthy
Karthikeyan Ramanujam
Ankita Henry
Joseph Dian Bondu
Sushil Mathew John
Sudhir Babji
Beena Koshy
Anuradha Bose
Gagandeep Kang
Venkata Raghava Mohan
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Nutrition
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1553-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Low head circumference during early childhood and its predictors in a semi-urban settlement of Vellore, Southern India

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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