Background Malnutrition is a public health problem, but outside the theoretical framework, little is known about the concrete intergenerational effects of malnutrition. Objective The objective of this study is to compare the nutritional status and health indicators of school children born to mothers who were treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Methodology The study took place in Miti-Murhesa health zone in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a cohort study assessing the nutritional and health status of school children born to mothers who had been treated for SAM, based on WHZ or edema, in Lwiro hospital between 1988–2002 compared to children born to mothers who were not exposed to SAM. Stunting and thinness were evaluated by Height for Age Z-score (HAZ) and Body Mass Index by Age criteria (BMIAZ) respectively. On admission, blood samples were taken to assess anemia, HIV serology, hemogram and others biological indicators. Stool’s examinations were conducted by using Olympus optical microscope. Parametric and non-parametric tests were applied to compare the different variables in two groups. Results We identified 106 children aged 5–16 years (103 exposed and 58 unexposed) and we received 83.5% and 91.4% children respectively for anthropometric parameters. The mean of age was 7.9 ± 2.4 year in exposed group and 7.4 ± 2.1 year in unexposed group (p = 0.26). The prevalence of stunting was 68.3% in the exposed group and 67.3% in the unexposed group (p = 0.90). The prevalence of thinness was 12.8% in the exposed group and 9.6% in the unexposed group (p = 0.57). The biological profile (glycemia, urea, creatinine and hemogram) and the prevalence of intestinal parasites were similar in the two groups. Conclusion In this sample, in a malnutrition-endemic area, there was no statistically significant difference in nutrition and health indicators between school children born to mothers exposed to SAM and their community controls.

Background Malnutrition is a public health problem, as wasting affects 7.5% of children worldwide. The harmful effects of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) can last a lifetime, but how SAM in childhood affects later breastfeeding ability is not clear. In the present study, we assessed the human milk output and body composition among mothers with a history of childhood SAM. Methods This retrospective cohort study was carried out in Miti-Murhesa Health Zone (Democratic Republic of Congo) from January 15 to March 17, 2020. We selected lactating mothers with breastfed infants aged 2–12 months. Two categories of mothers were included: those who had been treated for SAM during their childhood (years 1988–2003; n = 39) and a community control with no history of SAM (n = 40). The weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated as weight/height2. Body composition and human milk output were assessed using standard deuterium dilution methods. Student t and chi2 tests ware applied to compare two groups. Results The mean age ± standard deviation of the mothers was 24.4 ± 5.1 and 26.0 ± 6.1 years for the SAM and control groups, respectively (p = 0.186). The age of their infants was 5.4 ± 2.3 months in both groups (p = 0.962). In the SAM and control groups, the mean maternal BMI was 23.8 ± 2.3 and 23.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2 (p = 0.849), mean Fat Mass 27.1% ± 5.0 and 27.1% ± 5.8% (p = 0.708), and the mean Fat Free mass 72.9% ± 5.0 and 72.9% ± 5.8% (p = 0.998), respectively. Human milk output was 833.7 ± 152.1 g/d in SAM group and 827.4 ± 171.4 g/d in the control group (p = 0.864). Conclusions We found no significant difference in human milk output and body composition in mothers treated for SAM during childhood compared to community controls.

Background: Good breastfeeding practice is essential in preventing malnutrition in children. The deuterium method is the best technique for assessing human breast milk output. We investigated whether deuterium doses < 30 g can be used to assess human breast milk using saliva and the new Agilent 4500S for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the breastmilk output of lactating mothers was evaluated using four different doses of deuterium in the Miti-Murhesa Health Zone (Democratic Republic of Congo). Lactating mothers of infants aged 3-23 months were recruited and assigned to a dosage group. Weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured and the body mass index calculated as weight/height2. Body composition (fat mass, free fat mass, total body water, and breastmilk output) was assessed using standard deuterium dilution methods. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the means in different groups and the chi² test to compare proportions. Results: Seventy-five lactating mothers were included in the study: 19 received 6 g, 20 received 10 g, 18 received 15 g, and 18 received 20 g deuterium. The mean ± standard deviation infant age was 10.6 ± 5.2, 11.1 ± 4.4, 10.9 ± 4.4, and 11.0 ± 3.9 months, respectively (p=0.076). We found no difference in the age and anthropometric parameters of the lactating mothers in the different groups. The mean ± standard deviation breast milk output rate was 796.6 ± 292.4, 260.8± 23.2, 749.8 ± 244.2, and 733.6 ± 207.1 g/d in the 6 g, 10 g, 15 g, and 20 g groups, respectively (p=0.883). Conclusions: The different doses of deuterium administered to lactating mothers resulted in similar breast milk output values. Thus, it is possible to evaluate human breast milk with deuterium doses <30 g when using the Agilent 4500S.