{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.05759162303664921, 'fraction_numerical': 0.02675974403723095, 'mean_word_length': 5.640926640926641, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 3, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 3, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 1, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Prevalence of Inflammation Varies among Preschool Aged Children across 12 Countries

Inflammation is known to affect many biomarkers used in the assessment of micronutrient status. The prevalence of inflammation as measured by C‐reactive protein (CRP, >5 mg/L) and alpha1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP, >1 mg/L) and individual‐level factors associated with these markers have not been characterized across a variety of environments. Using data from 12 Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutrition Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) household‐based survey datasets, survey design‐adjusted prevalence estimates of inflammation among preschool children were calculated. Prevalence estimates were compared overall and by sex, age (6‐11mo, 12‐23, 24‐35, 36‐59, association measure if >2 groups included), socioeconomic status (SES, asset index quintile), stunting (<‐2 height‐for‐age z score) and wasting (<‐2 weight‐for‐height z score) (chi square, p<0.05). Prevalence of elevated CRP and AGP ranged from 6.0 (USA) to 40.2% (Cote D'Ivoire) and 20.8 (Philippines) to 64.3% (Cote D'Ivoire), respectively. Sex was associated with inflammation in Laos. Age was inconsistently not (n=5), negatively (n=3, with AGP only), and positively (n=2) associated with inflammation. Inflammation was inversely associated with SES in 6 of 8 countries with relevant data. In a majority of countries AGP was positively associated with stunting (n=7) and wasting (n=5). While there is a strong negative association across countries between inflammation and both growth and SES in preschool children, age and sex showed inconsistent relationships. There is a need to better understand factors influencing the risk of inflammation in various settings.