The effect of malaria on stunting: an instrumental variables approach

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Sep 3;115(9):1094-1098. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/traa183.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have found mixed evidence for an effect of malaria on stunting, but have suffered from concerns about confounding and/or power. Currently, an effect of malaria on stunting is not included in the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model.

Methods: We used instrumental variables regression with the sickle cell trait and random assignment to bednets as instruments in the analysis of data on children aged 0-2 y from a bednet trial in western Kenya.

Results: We estimated that one additional clinical malaria episode per year increases the odds of a child being stunted by 6% (OR estimate: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11).

Conclusions: Our finding that malaria affects stunting suggests that an effect of malaria on stunting in young children should be considered in the LiST model.

Keywords: ITNs; IV; LiST model; malaria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Growth Disorders / epidemiology
  • Growth Disorders / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Malaria* / complications
  • Malaria* / epidemiology