Duodenal quantitative mucosal morphometry in children with environmental enteric dysfunction: a cross-sectional multicountry analysis.

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a chronic inflammatory condition of the small intestine, is an important driver of childhood malnutrition globally. Quantifying intestinal morphology in EED allows for exploration of its association with functional and disease outcomes.

Objectives: We sought to define morphometric characteristics of childhood EED and determine whether morphology features were associated with disease pathophysiology.

Beyond the regulatory radar: knowledge and practices of rural medical practitioners in Bangladesh.

Background: Informal and unregulated rural medical practitioners (RMPs) provide healthcare services to about two-thirds of people in Bangladesh, although their service is assumed to be substandard by qualified providers. As the RMPs are embedded in the local community and provide low-cost services, their practice pattern demands investigation to identify the shortfalls and design effective strategies to ameliorate the service.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2015-16 using a convenient sample from all 64 districts of Bangladesh.

Environmental enteric dysfunction and small intestinal histomorphology of stunted children in Bangladesh.

There is lack of information on the histological characteristics of the intestinal mucosa in Bangladeshi children. Collection of intestinal biopsy samples and assessment of the histomorphological features is considered to be the traditional gold standard for diagnosis of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the intestinal histological characteristics of stunted children aged between 12-18 months with possible EED.

Chronic Aflatoxin Exposure and Cognitive and Language Development in Young Children of Bangladesh: A Longitudinal Study.

Aflatoxin can cross the blood-brain barrier, damage brain tissues, and have the potential to harm the development of the human brain. Although dietary aflatoxin exposure is common in children, there is a paucity of data on aflatoxin exposure and child developmental outcomes. The child's cognitive, motor, and language functions were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III or BSID-III at the same time points.

Maternal and child FUT2 and FUT3 status demonstrate relationship with gut health, body composition and growth of children in Bangladesh.

Fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) and 3 (FUT3) may influence host biological functions. We aim to assess the relationship between maternal and child FUT2 (Secretor) and FUT3 (Lewis) status with growth, body composition, gut health and histologic features in Bangladeshi children. We conducted a case-control study where secretor and Lewis status were ascertained from saliva samples of 408 mother-child dyads.

Azithromycin and cefixime combination versus azithromycin alone for the out-patient treatment of clinically suspected or confirmed uncomplicated typhoid fever in South Asia: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever) is a common cause of non-specific febrile infection in adults and children presenting to health care facilities in low resource settings such as the South Asia.  A 7-day course of a single oral antimicrobial such as ciprofloxacin, cefixime, or azithromycin is commonly used for its treatment. Increasing antimicrobial resistance threatens the effectiveness of these treatment choices.

Nutrition and Food Security in Bangladesh: Achievements, Challenges, and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Bangladesh has experienced remarkable transformation in demographic, health, and nutritional status of the population. The changes have exposed the population to a number of challenges, the detrimental effect of which on health and nutrition is likely to be increased by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We provide an overview of health and nutritional challenges in Bangladesh in relation to demographic transition and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alterations in the histological features of the intestinal mucosa in malnourished adults of Bangladesh.

There is paucity of knowledge on the histological features of the intestinal mucosa in malnourished adults of Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to explore the histological features of the intestinal mucosa in malnourished adults of Bangladesh and to compare the findings with their well-nourished counterparts. 64 adults (37 malnourished with body mass index, BMI < 18.

Acute food insecurity and short-term coping strategies of urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic of 2020: report of a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the extent and to identify the determinants of food insecurity and coping strategies in urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the month-long, COVID-19 lockdown period.

Setting: Selected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.

Participants: 106 urban and 106 rural households.

Changes in Retinol Binding Protein 4 Level in Undernourished Children After a Nutrition Intervention Are Positively Associated With Mother's Weight but Negatively With Mother's Height, Intake of Whole Milk, and Markers of Systemic Inflammation: Results From a Community-Based Intervention Study.

Background: The changes of plasma retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) level after a nutrition intervention can indicate the metabolic changes associated with the delivered intervention.

Objective: We investigated the changes in plasma RBP4 level among 12- to 18-month-old children after a nutrition intervention and measured its association with subcutaneous adiposity, maternal characteristics, and inflammation.

Methods: Data of 520 undernourished children (250 of them had length-for-age score [LAZ] <-1 to -2 and 270 had LAZ score <-2) were collected from the Bangladesh Environmental Enteric Dysfunction study conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Asymptomatic Duodenitis and Helicobacter pylori associated Dyspepsia in 2-Year-Old Chronic Malnourished Bangladeshi Slum-Dwelling Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: There is insufficient knowledge on the * duodenal histology and Helicobacter pylori infection in malnourished Bangladeshi children. Therefore, we attempted to explore the prevalence of H. pylori infection and duodenal histopathology in 2-year-old chronic malnourished Bangladeshi slum-dwelling children and investigate their association with dyspeptic symptoms.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with fecal biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction but not with the nutritional status of children living in Bangladesh.

Background: Because Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) follow a similar mode of transmission, there can be a complex interplay between H. pylori infection and EED, both of which can influence childhood growth.

Ascaris lumbricoides infection: Still a threat for iron deficiency anaemia in 2-year-old Bangladeshi slum-dwelling children.

Introduction: Although parasitic infections lead to extracorporeal iron loss resulting in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), data associating IDA with parasitic infections in the first two years of life are limited. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and severity of anaemia and IDA during this period and to investigate the association between intestinal parasitic infections and IDA.

Methodology: Data was collected under MAL-ED study protocol in Bauniabadh slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Daily Supplementation With Egg, Cow Milk, and Multiple Micronutrients Increases Linear Growth of Young Children with Short Stature.

Background: Childhood stunting is the most prevalent public health nutrition problem in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether daily supplementation in 12-18-mo-old undernourished Bangladeshi children with egg, cow milk, and multiple micronutrients improves linear growth.

Methods: In the Bangladesh Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (BEED) study, a community-based intervention study, 12-18-mo-old children with length-for-age z score (LAZ) <1 were supplemented daily with an egg and 150 mL of milk for 90 feeding days, and 1 sachet of multiple micronutrient powder was provided daily for 60 feeding days.

Association of faecal pH with childhood stunting: Results from a cross-sectional study.

Background: Gut microbiota plays an important role in the growth of children. The gut of children with optimum growth is enriched in certain species, especially and and ommensal both contribute to formation of acidic stool, and an elevated faecal pH indicates reduction of these species in the gut. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of faecal pH with childhood stunting.

Screening for coeliac disease in children and adults living in a slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background And Objective: Serological screening with a confirmation through biopsy has improved the understanding of coeliac disease (CD) epidemiology worldwide. Prevalence of CD in Bangladesh is not yet explored and therefore, we aimed to assess the seroprevalence of CD in slum-dwelling malnourished children and adults in Dhaka.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from three different cohorts: stunted (length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) <-2) and at risk of stunting children (LAZ <-1 to -2) and malnourished adults (body mass index <18.