NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY DISORDERS AND HIGH MORTALITY AMONG CHILDREN OFTHE GREAT ANDAMANESE TRIBE

Background. The population of the Great Andamanese tribe of the Andama n Islands has been declining at a rapid pace. The case fatality rate d uring a recent outbreak of dysentery was 30.8%, all the deaths being a mong under-fives. As malnutrition is known to potentiate susceptibilit y to death due to infectious diseases, we undertook a study to determi ne the prevalence of malnutrition among the Great Andamanese tribe and its role in contributing to the high mortality among them due to infe ctious diseases. Methods. The study included a diet survey, nutritiona l anthropometry, clinical examination, haemoglobin estimation and stoo l examination for intestinal parasitic infestations, Information was a lso collected about every pregnancy in all ever-married women in the c ommunity and deaths of their children. All 36 members of the tribe wer e covered, Results. The Andamanese had a poor intake of iron, vitamin A and riboflavin but a good intake of energy, protein and fats. More t han 85% of the children below 6 years were undernourished and more tha n 77% of children and adolescents below 19 years were stunted, wasted or both, Anaemia, vitamin A deficiency and goitre were also common amo ng them, Almost the entire population suffered from intestinal parasit ic infestations, They also have a comparatively high fertility rate an d a high infant mortality rate, Conclusion. The population attributabl e risk for death due to malnutrition is probably one of the foremost r easons for the observed high infant mortality rate among the Great And amanese tribe and could be one of the reasons for the continuous decli ne in their population.