Worldwide evidence about infant stunting from a public health perspective: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) global estimates for 2017, 9.6% of children under 5 years old are stunted. Worldwide evidence shows that actions for preventing stunting and catching-up growth are relevant if addressed by all the sectors involved. Therefore, there is a need to identify ‘intersectoral actions’ to address the risk of stunting during pregnancy and the first 2 years of life.Objective: To identify and describe worldwide evidence for prevention, nutritional interventions, and ‘intersectoral collaboration’ efforts against stunting in infants.Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review in 2019 (PROSPERO CRD42019134431). The search included PubMed, OVID, and Web of Science, as well as WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) official documents and expert recommendations.Results: We selected 231 studies: 86.1% described prevention-related factors, 30.7%, nutritional interventions, and 52.8% intersectoral collaboration efforts; 36.4% of the studies were conducted in multiple regions; 61% of the studies described the importance of interventions during pregnancy, 71.9% from birth up to 6 months old, and 84.8% from 6 months up to 2 years old. The most frequent variables described were antenatal care, nutritional counseling for the mother and the newborn, and counseling on micronutrient supplementation.Conclusions: Evidence-based understanding of actions geared towards monitoring the risk of stunting-associated factors from pregnancy up to 2 years old is critical.

Nutritional status of Vietnamese infants assessed by Fenton growth chart and related factors: A cross‐sectional study

“…Therefore, it is necessary to establish "intersectoral actions" to reduce the risk of stunting during the first 1000 days of life. 28 Our study has several strengths. First, to our knowledge, this study was one of the first studies in Vietnam that investigated low birth weight in infants using the Fenton growth chart.…”

“…In line with our finding, a prior study conducted in the United States which used the Fenton chart 27 revealed that the percentage of infants being small for gestational age was 10.9%. According to global figures from the WHO in 2017, the rate of stunting of children under 5 years old was 9.6% 28 . In this study, we applied the Fenton growth chart to evaluate the nutritional status of stunting and low birth weight in infants.…”

“…Evidence from across the globe indicates that interventions to prevent stunting and facilitate children's growth are effective if relevant sectors join in these programs. Therefore, it is necessary to establish “intersectoral actions” to reduce the risk of stunting during the first 1000 days of life 28 …”

“…According to global figures from the WHO in 2017, the rate of stunting of children under 5 years old was 9.6%. 28 In this study, we applied the Fenton growth chart to evaluate the nutritional status of stunting and low birth weight in infants. To enhance preterm baby growth monitoring, the Fenton growth chart for preterm newborns has been established to fit the WHO Growth Standard and to represent actual age rather than completed weeks.…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to establish “intersectoral actions” to reduce the risk of stunting during the first 1000 days of life. 28 …”