An Increased Risk of Stunting among Newborns in Poorer Rural Settings: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study among Pregnant Women at Selected Sites in Rural Cambodia

Abstract

We conducted an observational study of 194 pregnant women from two different study sites in rural Cambodia. Socioeconomic and anthropometric data was obtained from the women and their newborns. In addition, we collected blood and urine samples from the women for further analyses in planned papers. There were significant differences between the two study groups for clinical outcomes. The mothers from the poorer area were shorter and weighed less at the time of inclusion. Their babies had significantly smaller head circumferences and a lower ponderal index. Conclusion: There are significant anthropometric differences between women and their newborns from two separate study sites in Cambodia. Possible associations between stunting and exposure to Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS) as organochlorines and toxic trace elements will be investigated in future studies.

Serum Concentrations of Selected Organochlorines in Pregnant Women and Associations with Pregnancy Outcomes. A Cross-Sectional Study from Two Rural Settings in Cambodia

“…Smaller head circumference was also associated with low educational level for the mother. The latter is in accordance with our own data from Cambodia [ 11 ]. A recent study from South Africa did not detect any association between maternal levels of DDT metabolites and neurodevelopment in their children at the ages of 1 and 2 years [ 24 ].…”

“…Their children are also the smallest with a significantly lower ponderal index and smaller head circumference. In the first article from our study, we presented the anthropometric findings supporting the hypothesis that a large proportion of our study population may be stunted [11]. Similar findings are reported by the UNDP showing that one third of Cambodia's children <5 years of age are either stunted or suffer from malnutrition [9].…”

“…There is, however, a distinct difference between the two areas, and the women from the floating villages have the highest concentration of p,p’-DDE and, thus, also the highest ratio. Fresh water fish, a staple food in the floating villages, most probably add to the burden of exposure [ 11 , 16 ]. In addition, the population on the river and lake used more insecticides in their homes.…”

“…The inclusion period for the women lasted from October 2015 through May 2016. The inclusion criteria are described in our first article from the study [ 11 ]. Two areas in Northwestern Cambodia were selected; both considered low-income non-urban communities.…”

“…Area two is located in Eak Phnom district; also called “the floating villages” since the majority of the population live a semi-nomadic life onboard boats and rafts on the waterways between the cities of Battambang and Siem Reap. More than 90% of the 18,000 inhabitants earn their livelihoods from the fisheries [ 11 ].…”