ASSOCIATION OF FAECAL PH WITH CHILDHOOD STUNTING
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Keywords
Stunting, faecal pH, childhood, poor nutritional, prevalence
Abstract
Background: Millions of children worldwide are affected by poor linear growth, a result of inadequate nutrition and repeated infections during the first two years of life. Stunting prevalence varies between countries but is highest in low-income regions.
Aim: To study the association of faecal pH with childhood stunting.
Methods: A profile of 100 patients were included in this Prospective observational study Conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Pediatrics, Children Hospital, Bemina, an associated hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar which is a referral tertiary care hospital for the children of Kashmir Valley. The study was initiated after receiving ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee and patients were recruited after obtaining the proper informed consent in the local language from the guardians. The weight, length, and height of the child were measured using standard protocol. Data regarding socioeconomic status, morbidity, dietary intake, and breastfeeding were collected using hard copy questionnaires at the time of enrolment and prior to sample collection. Chi square test was used to find the association between categorical variables (like LAZ and Faecal pH). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Significant association between fecal pH and childhood stunting (p < 0.001) was found among the study population. Children with severe stunting predominantly had a fecal pH above 6.5, indicating a higher prevalence of this condition in those with elevated pH levels. For moderate stunting, there was a clear distinction in pH values, with more children having a pH above 6.5 compared to those below. In mild stunting cases, most children had a fecal pH below 6.5. This suggests that fecal pH may be a relevant factor in assessing the severity of stunting in children. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provides evidence of a significant association between faecal pH and childhood stunting, highlighting a concerning trend of elevated faecal pH levels correlating with poorer nutritional outcomes in children
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Dr. Ruhail Ahmad Baba
Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, India.
Dr. Waseem Yousuf
Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, India
Dr. Syed Tariq
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, India.
Dr. Liza Manhotra
Postgraduate scholar, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, India
Dr. Wamiq Farooq
Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar,