Those who experienced more frequent or longer episodes of diarrhea as an infant were more likely to have metabolic syndrome as adults. A longitudinal study in Guatemala found that diarrhea episodes in early infancy are associated with chronic health issues later in life. Each 1% increase in diarrhea burden in children 0-6 months was associated with a 3% increased prevalence in high blood pressure in adulthood. Similarly, a 1% increase in diarrhea burden in older infants 6-12 months was associated with a 4% increased prevalence in elevated waist circumference in adulthood.
Full Citation:
DeBoer, M.D., Chen, D., Burt, D.R. et al. 2013. Early childhood diarrhea and cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood: The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Nutritional Supplementation Longitudinal Study. Annals of Epidemiology. 23(6).
Title of Article: Early childhood diarrhea and cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood: The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Nutritional Supplementation Longitudinal Study
Author(s): DeBoer, M.D., Chen, D., Burt, D.R. et al
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Name: Annals of Epidemiology
Publication Volume: 23(6)
Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23608305/
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.03.012