Shrestha, Robin

Aflatoxin exposure and child nutrition: measuring anthropometric and long-bone growth over time in Nepal

Publication Type

Abstract

Background

Naturally occurring aflatoxins may contribute to poor growth and nutritional statuses in children.

Objectives

We analyzed the relationship between contemporary and lagged aflatoxin exposure and 1) length-for-age z-score (LAZ); and 2) length, knee-heel length, stunting, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ).

Methods

Using mobile phone data helps estimate community-level food insecurity: Findings from a multi-year panel study in Nepal

Publication Type

Abstract:

Household food insecurity remains a major policy challenge in low-income countries. Identifying accurate measures that are relatively easy to collect has long been an important priority for governments seeking to better understand and fund solutions for communities in remote settings. Conventional approaches based on surveys can be time-consuming and costly, while data derived from satellite imagery represent proxies focused on biological processes (such as rainfall and crop growth) lack granularity in terms of human behaviors.

Household Engagement in Both Aquaculture and Horticulture Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality than Either Alone

Publication Type

Abstract:

The consumption of high-quality diverse diets is crucial for optimal growth, health, and wellbeing.

Objective: This study assessed the diet quality of households by their type of engagement in homestead aquaculture and/or horticulture. Socio-demographic determinants of diet quality were also studied.

Predictors of low birth weight and preterm birth in rural Uganda: Findings from a birth cohort study

Publication Type

Abstract

Background

Approximately 20.5 million infants were born weighing <2500 g (defined as low birthweight or LBW) in 2015, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Infants born LBW, including those born preterm (<37 weeks gestation), are at increased risk for numerous consequences, including neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as suboptimal health and nutritional status later in life. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of LBW and preterm birth among infants in rural Uganda.

Early Life Exposure to Mycotoxins and Child Linear Growth in Nepal: Methods and Design of a Prospective Birth Cohort Study

Publication Type

Abstract

A growing body of mainly cross-sectional evidence suggests an association between mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxin exposure, and poor linear growth in children. We describe the design and methods of a rigorous longitudinal birth cohort study aimed to deepen our understanding of this hypothesized relationship and to validate dried blood spots as a less invasive, low-cost collection method for venous blood samples. The AflaCohort study was conducted in Banke district of Nepal from 2015 to 2019.

Relatively Low Maternal Aflatoxin Exposure Is Associated with Small-for-Gestational-Age but Not with Other Birth Outcomes in a Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Nepalese Infants

Publication Type

This study used maternal and newborn data from the AflaCohort Study, an ongoing birth cohort study in Banke, Nepal (= 1621). Data on aflatoxin B1(AFB1)-lysine adducts in maternal serum were collected once during pregnancy (at mean ± SD: 136 ± 43 d of gestation). Maternal serum AFB1-lysine adduct concentration was measured via HPLC.