Declining Height Centiles with increasing age in children living in Ginnoruwa - an established Chronic kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDu)-endemic region in Sri Lanka


Introduction: 
Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDU) is currently a leading cause of disease burden in the farming populations of the central province of Sri Lanka. This study was a part of a larger screening programme for CKDu aimed at children living in CKDu-endemic Ginnoruwa.
Objective:  
To evaluate whether there were any variations in height in different age groups of children in CKU-endemic Ginnoruwa, when compared to the national average.
Methods: 
In a screening program held at Ginnoruwa Junior School, children between 1-17 years of age were assessed for their heights. Children attended from Ginnoruwa – made up of a five-village cluster namely Ginnoruwa, Serupitiya, Sarabhoomiya, Badulupura and Viranagama. Each child’s height centile was determined and plotted on a standardised national growth chart. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and mean comparisons. 
Results: 
A total of 369 children met the inclusion criteria. 191 (51.8%) were male and 178 (48.2%) were female. Median age was 8.0 years. Mean height was 121.9 cm. Mean height for age groups 1-5, 6-12 and 13-17 years of age was 94.97 cm, 125.00 cm and 152.18 cm respectively. The mean height centiles decreased with age, making the mean percentile height in 1-5 years age group being significantly higher than both older age groups (p<0.001). 
Conclusion: 
A decline in the height centiles was observed with increasing age in this group of children.  There may be several reasons for the poor final height achievement including nutritional practices, the burden of CKDu in the older population and the results of this on the younger population in these villages. Further targeted studies are required to identify specific risk factors.

DECLINING HEIGHT CENTILES WITH INCREASING AGE IN CHILDREN LIVING IN GINNORUWA - AN ESTABLISHED CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN (CKDU)-ENDEMIC REGION IN SRI LANKA