Ausman, Lynne

Abstract

Background

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), characterized by altered intestinal permeability/inflammation, microbial translocation, and systemic inflammation (SI), may be a significant contributor to micronutrient deficiencies and poor growth in infants from low-resource settings.

Objective

We examined associations among EED, SI, growth, and iron status at 6 mo of age.

Methods

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a subclinical disorder of the small intestine, and poor growth are associated with living in poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, but specific risk factors remain unclear. Nested within a birth cohort study, this study investigates relationships among water quality, EED, and growth in 385 children living in southwestern Uganda. Water quality was assessed using a portable water quality test when children were 6 months, and safe water was defined as lacking Escherichia coli contamination.

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of Aspergillus molds and are widespread in the food supply, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Both in utero and infant exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) have been linked to poor child growth and development. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, primarily lower birth weight, in a sample of 220 mother‐infant pairs in Mukono district, Uganda.

Adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and stunting at birth, have long-term health implications. The relation between adverse birth outcomes and chronic, asymptomatic gastrointestinal inflammation (environmental enteric dysfunction—EED) is poorly understood.

This posters details the development of a framework if adaptable guidelines for incorporating medical nutrition education into medical school curriculums, particularly in Malawi.

This poster describes the 20 month long postgraduate diploma program at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

This poster highlights the association between maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy and outcomes in Mukono, Uganda.

This poster assesses the nutritional status of Nepali women by creating a dietary pattern analysis on those of child-bearing age.

This poster draws links between water quality sanitation, among other factors and EED with data from a cross-sectional, observational birth cohort study in southwestern Uganda. Presented at Friedman Fellows in 2017.

This poster assesses links between water quality and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) with data from a cross-sectional, observational birth cohort study in southwestern Uganda. Presented at ICN 2017.