Post-malnutrition growth and its associations with child survival and non-communicable disease risk: a secondary analysis of the Malawi 'ChroSAM' cohort.

objectiveTo explore patterns of post-malnutrition growth (PMGr) during and after treatment for severe malnutrition and describe associations with survival and non-communicable disease (NCD) risk 7 years post-treatment.

designSix indicators of PMGr were derived based on a variety of timepoints, weight, weight-for-age z-score and height-for-age z-score (HAZ). Three categorisation methods included no categorisation, quintiles and latent class analysis (LCA). Associations with mortality risk and seven NCD indicators were analysed.

settingSecondary data from Blantyre, Malawi between 2006 and 2014.

participantsA cohort of 1024 children treated for severe malnutrition (weight-for-length z-score < 70 % median and/or MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) < 110 mm and/or bilateral oedema) at ages 5-168 months.

resultsFaster weight gain during treatment (g/d) and after treatment (g/kg/day) was associated with lower risk of death (adjusted OR 0·99, 95 % CI 0·99, 1·00; and adjusted OR 0·91, 95 % CI 0·87, 0·94, respectively). In survivors (mean age 9 years), it was associated with greater hand grip strength (0·02, 95 % CI 0·00, 0·03) and larger HAZ (6·62, 95 % CI 1·31, 11·9), both indicators of better health. However, faster weight gain was also associated with increased waist:hip ratio (0·02, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·03), an indicator of later-life NCD risk. The clearest patterns of association were seen when defining PMGr based on weight gain in g/d during treatment and using the LCA method to describe growth patterns. Weight deficit at admission was a major confounder.

conclusionsA complex pattern of benefits and risks is associated with faster PMGr. Both initial weight deficit and rate of weight gain have important implications for future health.