Publication

Interactions of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition in childhood: recent evidence from developing countries

Authored by:

Schlaudecker, E.P., Steinhoff, M.C. and Moore, S.R.

Full Citation:

Schlaudecker, E.P., Steinhoff, M.C. and Moore, S.R. 2011. Interactions of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition in childhood: recent evidence from developing countries. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 24(5).

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhea can predispose children to further infections.

Key Evidence: In a recent review of data from developing countries, researchers found that episodes of diarrhea may predispose undernourished children to pneumonia.

The interactions of childhood diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition contribute to a vicious cycle of poor health and delayed growth and development. Immunization can help to improve this cycle.

Key Evidence: Multiple studies show that

Diarrhea and pneumonia impair children’s growth and that underlying malnutrition is a major risk factor for these conditions.
“Episodes of diarrhea may predispose to pneumonia in undernourished children” and
Immunization against influenza (in mothers) and Streptococcus pneumoniae may improve infant growth. In addition, new studies from Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, and Israel further support the paradigm that malnutrition is a key risk factor for diarrhea and pneumonia.