The Gulf War, child nutrition and feeding practices in Iraq
Author: Smith M, et al. Nutrition Research
Year: 1991
Resource type: Article
Mary C. Smith Fawzi ScD, Walid Aldoori M.D. ScD, Wafaie W. Fawzi M.D. DrPH and Nagib Armijo-Hussein M.D. MPH Nutrition Research, Volume 17, Issue 5 , May 1997
Abstract
We conducted a cross-sectional study, which included 420 children to investigate the association between feeding practices and growth of children 0–18 months of age, who were attending maternal and child health clinics (MCHCs) in Basrah city, Iraq, 6 months after the Gulf War in 1991. Children who were bottle-fed, had lower mean Z-scores for all anthropometric indices compared to children who were breast-fed. Similar results were observed for mixed bottle and breast feeding compared with breast feeding for weight-for-height and weight-for-age indices. The beneficial effect of breast feeding for all growth indices was not limited to the youngest age group, but was observed across all age categories. This association was modified by socio-economic status. Based on this study, breast feeding should be promoted for children up to 18 months of age and older, given its potential for averting child malnutrition and mortality. Breast feeding promotion should be coupled with nutrition supplementation for both pregnant and lactating women at risk. Nutrition supplementation should also be provided to infants 4–6 months of age and older to ensure adequate caloric intake. Given the current economic situation in Iraq, adequate resources need to be ensured by the international community in order to sustain these public health efforts.
Abstract only available in this resource library.
More like this
Resource: Infant feeding and risk of severe diarhoea in Basrah City, Iraq - A case-control study
Mahmood DA, Feachem RG, Huttly SRA. Infant feeding and risk of severe diarrhoea in Basrah City, Iraq: A case-control study. Bull WHO 1989;67(6):701-6. Country: Iraq, Setting:...
FEX: Infant Formula Distribution in Northern Iraq
Mother breastfeeding, Northern Iraq, 2003 Summary of assessment1 Between 19th June and 12th July, 2003, a nutrition and mother and child health assessment was carried out in...
Resource: Breastfeeding only milk: No need for water supplementation for exclusively breast-fed infants under hot and arid conditions
No need for water supplementation for exclusively breast-fed infants under hot and arid conditions. Almroth S & Bidinger PD, Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1990...
FEX: Artificial feeding in emergencies: experiences from the ongoing Syrian crisis
By Suzanne Mboya Suzanne Mboya is a consultant nutritionist. In 2014 she completed a sixth month mission supporting the Syrian crisis IYCF-E response through a partnership...
FEX: Save the Children’s IYCF-E Rapid Response in Croatia
By Isabelle Modigell, Christine Fernandes and Megan Gayford Isabelle Modigell is the IYCF-E Adviser for the Technical Rapid Response Team (Tech RRT) at Save the Children. She...
en-net: Iron deficiency anaemia - what are the reasons behind differences in prevalence in different countries?
[i]From Massimo Serventi:[/i] Here in Port Sudan (Red Sea state) children with IDA are many, the majority of them, mycrocitic anemia, 6/7 gr/dl on average, MCV often less than...
FEX: Diarrhoea risk associated with not breastfeeding in Botswana
Summary of report and presentation1 Between November 2005 and February 2006, there were unusually heavy rains and flooding in Botswana, and by January 2006, there was an...
FEX: Older people, nutrition and emergencies in Ethiopia
By Vanessa Tilstone Vanessa Tilstone has worked for HelpAge International in Ethiopia for the last 3 years as the Country Programme Director and has worked previously in...
FEX: Assessing the intervention on infant feeding in Gaza 2008
By Susan Thurstans and Vicky Sibson Susan Thurstans has been part of the emergency response team for nutrition with Save the Children UK since January 2009 and previously...
FEX: Letter on infant feeding in Former Yugoslavia, by Fiona Watson, Aileen Robertson and Aida Filipovic
Dear Editors, We would like to comment on the article "Infant Feeding in Emergencies: Experience from Former Yugoslavia" (Field Exchange, Issue 1, May '97). Our...
FEX: Infant Feeding in Emergencies: Recurring Challenges
Published Report By Marie McGrath The importance of infant feeding in emergencies has been highlighted during recent emergencies in countries such as Iraq and Bosnia, where...
FEX: Including infants in nutrition surveys
Experiences of ACF in Kabul city Claudine Prudhon is the head of the nutrition department in ACF HQ. Claudine is interested in improving the nutritional management of the under...
FEX: Infant Feeding Practices: Observations from Macedonia and Kosovo
As a result of concerns expressed about the usage of infant formula and a need for more information regarding weaning practices during and after the conflict in Kosovo, Action...
FEX: Infant feeding strategies and PMTCT - Mashi trial from Botswana
Summary of published research1 Arecently published paper compares the efficacy and safety of two infant feeding strategies for the prevention of postnatal mother-to-child HIV...
Resource: Breastfeeding promotion: a vital emergency intervention disregarded?
Breastfeeding promotion: a vital emergency intervention disregarded? Patten T. Afr Health. 1997 Sep;19(6):24 Abstract: PIP: This article explains the need for promotion of...
Resource: Acute malnutrition and high childhood mortality related to Diarrhea, lessons from the 1991 Kurdish refugee crisis
Acute malnutrition and high childhood mortality related to Diarrhea, lessons from the 1991 Kurdish refugee crisis. Yip R, Sharp TW Journal of the American Medical Association...
FEX: Infant and young child feeding support in Lebanon: strengthening the national system
By Pressila Darjani and Linda Shaker Berbari Pressila Derjany is the Infant and Young Child Coordinator at IOCC. She has a B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics. She joined IOCC...
FEX: Nutritional Status of HIV+ Pre-School Children in South Africa
Summary of unpublished research Nursing health professional doing clinical investigation at Livningstone Hospital By Liana Steenkamp, Dr Jill von der Marwitz, and Charlene...
FEX: Infant Feeding in Emergencies: Experiences from Indonesia and Lebanon
By Ali Maclaine and Mary Corbett Ali Maclaine has a MSc in Human Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has been involved in infant feeding and...
FEX: Study of the Risk Factors for the Development of Nutritional Oedema in North Kivu, DRC
By Mark Myatt and Frances Mason Mark Myatt is a consultant epidemiologist and senior research fellow at the Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Opthalmology, University...
Reference this page
Smith M, et al. Nutrition Research (1997). The Gulf War, child nutrition and feeding practices in Iraq. www.ennonline.net/gulfwarchildnutrition