Objective: This study of Terena Indian children less than 10 years old was undertaken in order to compare weight and height in 1995 and 2002 and to evaluate anemia prevalence in 2002.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the Limão Verde and Córrego Seco tribes, located in Aquidauana, Mato Gosso do Sul, Brazil. The study enrolled all 253 children who were less than 10 years old in 1995 and 244 who were under 10 in 2002. Their nutritional status was evaluated comparing weight and height with the NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) reference values (Epi-Info version 6.2). Hemoglobin was assayed using a portable photometer.Results: The percentages of children with weight for age deficit (z score < -2 standard deviations) were 4 and 2.9% in 1995 and 2002 respectively. Percentages of weight for height deficits were 3.6 and 0.8% respectively. Percentages of height for age deficits were 15 and 11.1% respectively. The median z scores for weight, age and weight, and height showed a statistically significant increase during the period between 1995 and 2002 in infants. Between 24 and 60 months, there were increments in median z scores for weight for age and height for age. There was no statistically significant decrease in any of the anthropometric indicators, with reference to z scores. The prevalence rates of anemia were 86.1% for infants 6 to 24 months old (n = 43), 50.8% for those 24 to 60 months (n = 65) and 40.7% for children aged 60 to 120 months (n = 59). Conclusion

Weight and height both increased during period from 1995 to 2002. Anemia was highly prevalent, calling for immediate corrective measures.

Objective: to evaluate the nutritional status, absorption and tolerance of lactose and the occurrence of small-bowel bacterial overgrowth.Methods: a cross-sectional study including all 264 Terena Indian children younger than 10 years from two tribes (Limão Verde and Córrego Seco) in Mato Grosso do Sul. The nutritional status was assessed based upon weight and height, using NCHS data as reference. The breath hydrogen test after an oral lactose (18g) administration was used for evaluation of lactose absorption and tolerance. The occurrence of bacterial overgrowth was evaluated using the breath hydrogen test after the administration of lactulose (5g).Results: the median z scores of weight-for-age, weight-forheight and height-for-age were, respectively, in infants under 1 year (n=34): -0.66, +0.60 and -0.85. Between 1 and 5 years (n=111), the values were: -0.50, +0.28 and -1.17. Between 5 and 10 years (n=119), these anthropometric values were, respectively: -0.09, +0.50 and -0.60. Deficient lactose absorption or malabsorption was verified only after the fourth year of age in 89.3% of the 197 evaluated children. Lactose intolerance was found in 37.1% of them. Small-bowel overgrowth was detected in 11.5% of the Terena Indian children (n=252).Conclusions: the prevalence of recent malnutrition was low, but the median height-for-age was lower than the NCHS reference. The prevalence of ontogenetic lactase deficiency was high. Bacterial overgrowth may be considered as evidence of the occurrence of nonsymptomatic environmental enteropathy in Terena Indian children.J Pediatr (Rio J) 2002; 78 (2): 113-9: nutritional status, lactose, lactulose, breath test, South American Indians, small intestine bacterial overgrowth. ResumoObjetivo: avaliar o estado nutricional, a absorção e a tolerância à lactose e a ocorrência de sobrecrescimento bacteriano no intestino delgado.Métodos: estudo transversal envolvendo todas as 264 crianças índias terenas, menores de 10 anos, das aldeias Limão Verde e Córrego Seco, em Aquidauana (MS). O estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo peso e pela estatura, relacionados com a referência do NCHS. Após a ingestão de 18 gramas de lactose, foi avaliada sua absorção, pelo teste do hidrogênio no ar expirado, e a tolerância de acordo com o aparecimento de manifestações clínicas. Sobrecrescimento bacteriano no intestino delgado foi avaliado com o teste do hidrogênio no ar expirado após a administração de lactulose (5g).Resultados: a mediana dos escores Z do peso-idade, pesoestatura e estatura-idade para as crianças com idade inferior a 12 meses (n=34) foram, respectivamente: -0,66, +0,60 e -0,85. Entre 1 e 5 anos (n=111) foram, respectivamente: -0,50, +0,28 e -1,17. Entre os 5 e 10 anos (n=119), estes valores foram, respectivamente: -0,09, +0,50 e -0,60. Após os 4 anos (n=197), absorção deficiente e má absorção de lactose foi observada em 89,3% das 197 crianças avaliadas. Intolerância à lactose foi observada em 37,1% destas 197 crianças. Sobrecrescimento bacteriano no intestino delgado foi caracterizado em...