THE TROPICAL Research and Metabolism Institute of the University of the West Indies, the former TMRU, has distinguished itself in the field of nutrition. Major research has been done on the malnutrition in children and its possible impact on later development. In more than 40 years of work, the university's scientists have described the mental and physical effects of poor nutrition and have devised better clinical management features used in the health care system on the island. One of the long-term effects of poor nutrition is poor mental development. The unit has been responsible for a 45 per cent fall in mortality rates in the island during the period, moving from 50 per cent to 5 per cent. And it continues to run a paediatric ward to deal with children who are severely malnourished.
The institute conducts research which brings acclaim from researchers across the world, providing information which is set to have a significant impact on health policy both locally and overseas.
Recently, a series of studies was done on common diseases in the Caribbean, including high blood pressure, diabetes and on the heart attacks that accompany these ailments.
Sickle Cell research
Genes and pregnancy programmes have also come under the microscope. A major hypothesis is that foetal size contributes to their development and if there is poor foetal growth, the higher the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes will be.
With the withdrawal of funding for the university's Sickle Cell Unit by the Medical Research Council of Britain, that unit has been incorporated with the Tropical Research and Metabolism Unit, now an institute. Included also in the new grouping is the Chronic Diseases Research Unit of UWI, in Barbados.
In Jamaica, the Sickle Cell Unit continues the work started in 1965 by the University Hospital.
Research from the unit has produced the most comprehensive study worldwide, of the effects and treatment of sickle cell a disease of the blood. A cohort study, begun in June 1973 and ending in December 1981, which screened more than 300 patients with the disease, accumulated information with respect to the natural history of the ailment.
Results of the study have been helpful in developing a programme for the prevention of painful crises, immunisation and protection from meningitis.
According to Professor Robert Gray, from the cohort study, "we also know that small children will literally dump cells in their spleen, depriving other organs. We have taught mothers to feel for the spleen. If it suddenly becomes bigger, then it is time to get medical help."
Research also indicates that parvo virus is the cause of aplastic crises affecting the bone marrow. Sickle cell patients are also prone to infection, particularly salmonella. They also suffer from chest struggle and acute chest syndrome.
The cord blood of infants continues to be analysed by the unit's labs so that children born with the disease can be identified early and put on a programme of treatment.
