Malnutrition and concurrent infections. Comparison of two populations with different infection rates
Fecha
1982
Tipo
capítulo de libro
Autores
Mata Jiménez, Leonardo
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Viral Diseasses in South-East Asia and the Wester Pacific
Resumen
Repetitive infections induce malnutrition and growth retardation
in children living in impoverished environments,
even if food is available. Infection precipitates severe malnutrition
in individuals already undernourished. Mechanisms
include anorexia, nutrient losses, abnormal synthesis, and
diversion from usual metabolic pathways. Infectious diarrheas,
malaria, measles, and respiratory infections, all may cause
malnutrition, disability, growth retardation, and death.
In two different rural populations of Central America,
differences in infant nutrition, health, and survival were
more related to the infectious environment than to amount and
quality of food consumed.
Exposure to infection was related to living conditions.
Thus, the public health goal should be to raise the quality
of life in order to diminish the force of infection. Measures
recommended are: improvement of environmental sanitation, exnsion
of primary health care (including oral rehydration
therapy and immUnoprophylaxis), and promotion of maternal
technology (breast-feeding and child-care practice), family
planning, and health education. The approach should be holistic.
Descripción
capítulo de libro -- Universidad de Costa Rica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud. 1982
Palabras clave
Diarrea, Desarrollo del niño, Salud pública, Nutrición del niño