SEASONALITY AND CHILD MORBIDITY IN RURAL BANGLADESH

This study examined seasonal variation in the impact of infection on c hild nutritional status. Maternal reports of child illness were examin ed in relation to monthly changes in weight, weight-for-age, and midup per arm circumference (MUAC) of children aged 2-6 years of age. The gr eatest deterioration in short-term nutritional status was associated w ith episodes of fever, followed by episodes of diarrhea and respirator y infections. The monsoon season was associated with the highest preva lence of fever, respiratory infection, and diarrheal diseases. Irrespe ctive of the prevalence of infection, the relationship between infecti on and nutritional status varied across seasons. Weight loss and decre ases in MUAC associated with infection in the dry and monsoon seasons were statistically significantly greater than those in the winter mont hs. The observed seasonal variation in morbidity is an important consi deration for studies of infection and malnutrition in children. (C) 19 95 Wiley-Liss, Inc.