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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Low birth weight is associated with altered immune function in rural Bangladeshi children: A birth cohort study
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 85, No. 3, Year 2007
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Description
Background: Low birth weight is generally an outcome of a fetal insult or nutritional insufficiency. Recent studies have shown that such exposure early in life may have long-term implications for later immunocompetence and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of birth weight on immune function in preschool-age children. Design: A birth cohort cross-sectional study was conducted in children (n = 132) aged 60.8 = 0.32 mo who were born in Matlab, a rural area of Bangladesh, and whose weight and length were measured within 72 h of birth. The outcome measures were thymopoiesis, T cell turnover, acute phase response, and percentage of lymphocytes. Results: Children born with low birth weight (<2500 g; LBW group, n = 66) had significantly higher concentrations of T cell receptor excision circles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells - a biomarker for thymopoiesis - and significantly higher serum bactericidal activity and C-reactive protein concentrations than did children born with normal birth weight (≥2500 g; NBW group, n = 66) (P < 0.05 for both). The LBW group children had significantly lower concentrations of interleukin 7 in plasma (P = 0.02), shorter telomere length in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P = 0.02), and a lower percentage of CD3 T cells (P = 0.06) than did the NBW group children. Conclusions: Greater peripheral T cell turnover (shorter telomeres and lower CD3 concentrations) due to immune activation (elevated C-reactive protein concentrations and bactericidal activity) may have resulted in a greater need for replenishment from the thymus (higher T cell receptor excision circles); these events may cause lower immune functional reserve in preschool-age children born with LBW. Thus, LBW has implications for immunocompetence and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases in later life. © 2007 American Society for Nutrition.
Authors & Co-Authors
Raqib, Rubhana
Bangladesh, Dhaka
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Alam, Dewan Shamsul
Bangladesh, Dhaka
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Sarker, Protim
Bangladesh, Dhaka
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Yunus, Mohammad
Bangladesh, Dhaka
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Moore, Sophie E.
United Kingdom, London
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Fuchs, George Joseph
United States, Little Rock
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Statistics
Citations: 141
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1093/ajcn/85.3.845
ISSN:
00029165
Research Areas
Cancer
Food Security
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative