Wafaie Fawzi|M G Herrera|Penelope Nestel
Tomato Intake in Relation to Mortality and Morbidity among Sudanese Children
Harvard University|Institute for International Urban Development|Harvard University|Institute for International Urban Development
intake foods contain high levels antioxidants may counteract adverse effects oxidative stress lead improved immune function reduced risk infectious disease prospectively examined relationship consumption tomatoes rich source antioxidants mortality diarrheal respiratory morbidity rates among 28753 children 660 mo old enrolled longitudinal study sudan children household visited every 6 mo maximum four visits round mothers recalled whether child consumed tomatoes previous 24 h events death morbidity reported round prospectively allocated according number days tomato intake intake tomatoes 2 3 compared none associated respectively 48 relative risk 0 53 95 confidence interval 030091 83 017 004072 reductions morality rates p trend 0002 association tomato use death remained statistically significant p trend 0004 even adjustment total vitamin intake tomato intake also associated reduced risk death associated diarrhea week preceding death p trend 0009 fever p trend 004 intake tomatoes also inversely significantly associated risks diarrheal respiratory infections data suggest tomatoes may beneficial child health also emphasize general importance foodbased approaches prevention micronutrient malnutrition protection health children developing countries