Pediatric research
Enteric infections and childhood stunting: a systematic review and meta-analysis across four pathogen domains
Door Pauzi RY, Iqhrammullah M, Ihtiaringtyas S en 5 anderen.
Inhoud in het Engels
Abstract
Background
Enteric infections have been implicated in childhood growth faltering, but the relative contribution of major enteric pathogen domains to stunting remains unclear.
Methods
MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception to July 2026 for observational studies evaluating laboratory-confirmed enteric infections and childhood stunting. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Pre-specified subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.