Nutritional deficiency and mortality in childhood. Results of the Interamerican Study of Mortality in Childhood
Puffer, R.R.; Serrano, C.V.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 75(1): 1-30
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 4268720 Document Number: 57611
Material from chapter 9 of Scientific Publication 262, Panamerican Health Organization, Washington, D.C., 1973 is recapitulated. In 15 projects covering 25 areas, urban and rural, in the Americas, mainly in Latin America, the causes of death for children under 5 years old were analysed during 24 consecutive months. Problems and results varied according to the area and country and age of the children. In 24 areas, covered by 15 projects, premature birth or nutritional deficiency was the basal or associated cause of death in 57% of the children. In nearly all the areas of Central and South America nutritional deficiency played a greater role than premature birth, or low birthweight (which endangered mainly young infants) and was generally particularly important in the first two years of life, especially in the first year and, in some, in the early months of life. Unspecified nutritional deficiencies played a major part, also marasmus and protein deficiency; vitamin deficiency was of minor significance. In infants only a few months old there was a relation between nutritional deficiency and diarrhoea and also absence of breast feeding. Deficiency was often present in children who died of infectious disorders. Nutritional deficiency contributed more to mortality in rural than in urban areas. The problem was particularly acute in El Salvador.